IPU Innovation Tracker

The quarterly electronic bulletin from the Centre for Innovation in Parliament

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Issue 21
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Issue 21

In this issue, we report on parliamentary innovations in three areas: broadcasting, training on AI tools, and the TikTok platform. We also provide updates on the activities of the IPU Centre for Innovation in Parliament hubs, which bring together parliaments around common interests.

Innovation Tracker contributions

We are posting examples of innovation in parliament on Twitter using the hashtags #innovation #parliament. Please join us in using these hashtags, or send us good examples that we can share!

Do you have an example of innovative parliamentary working methods to share in the Innovation Tracker? Tell us about it via this online form or by e-mail to innovationatipu [dot] org (innovation[at]ipu[dot]org).

Innovation in parliamentary working methods
Fiji Chamber

Multilingual Parliament TV: Enhancing inclusiveness in Fiji

Multilingual Parliament TV: Enhancing inclusiveness in Fiji The establishment of multilingual broadcasting in the Parliament of Fiji is a good example of how parliaments can reach new audiences and broaden their inclusiveness. It shows how a relatively small IT operation with limited capabilities can achieve results through a combination of inter-parliamentary learning, continuous leadership engagement and an agile approach to
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The Parliament of Estonia

The Estonian Parliament trains MPs and staff in using AI tools

The Estonian Parliament trains MPs and staff in using AI tools The Estonian Parliament has responded proactively to the proliferation of AI-based tools in the workplace. Anticipating the transformative effect of this technology, parliament has engaged with members and staff, providing guidance and practical training for popular AI tools. Rationale The rationale behind this approach is that AI has already
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The TikTok account of the Austrian Parliament

How the Parliament of Austria uses TikTok

How the Parliament of Austria uses TikTok In 2024, multiple elections were held around the world. In order to inform citizens about the European Parliament and National Council elections, the Parliament of Austria sought out the social media platforms that young people use and created its own TikTok channel (@oeparl.at). Reaching out to where young people are The Newsroom of
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Updates from the hubs

Thematic

IT Governance Hub

ICT governance hub
Innovation tracker | Issue 21 | 16 Apr 2025

The e-learning platform of the IT Governance Hub is currently undergoing a review, with updates being made to the IT Maturity Assessment Tool (IMAT) template. IMAT’s primary purpose is to enable parliaments to self-assess their performance in four key areas: digital strategy, key processes, digital transformation, and efficiency. Based on their scores, parliaments can chart a path forwards by establishing improvement targets in each area. The revised version of IMAT will incorporate AI as a new assessment dimension. Once the platform update is complete, parliaments will be invited to renew their self-assessments.

In conjunction with this initiative, the IT Governance Hub is holding two webinars, as part of the Transforming Parliaments series, relating to AI governance in parliaments. Further information will be available in the events section of the IPU website in due course.

ICT governance hub

Parliamentary Data Science Hub

Parliamentary Data Science thematic hub
Innovation tracker | Issue 21 | 16 Apr 2025

The launch of the Guidelines for AI in parliaments in December 2024 represented a significant milestone for the Parliamentary Data Science Hub. Participating parliaments have since convened twice to discuss the latest advances in the use of AI in parliaments: on 17 February 2025, they focused on the Guidelines themselves, and on 17 March 2025, they addressed good practices in the area of generative AI prompts. Discussions are also under way on plans for an in-person meeting later in 2025. In the coming months, the hub will follow up with a series of webinars that build on the themes covered by the Guidelines, including AI system development, AI strategy, AI and data literacy, and risk management.

Host: Brazil
Parliamentary Data Science thematic hub
Regional

Pacific Regional Hub

Pacific hub
Innovation tracker | Issue 21 | 16 Apr 2025

The Parliament of Fiji has taken on the role of coordinator of the Pacific Regional Hub, in agreement with the outgoing coordinator, the House of Representatives of New Zealand. 

The Secretary General of the Parliament of Fiji, Ms. Jeanette Emberson, and the IPU Secretary General, Mr. Martin Chungoing, signed a Cooperation Agreement during the 150th IPU Assembly that sets out the objectives of this new partnership.  The purpose of the Pacific regional hub is to facilitate the exchange of experience and expertise between Pacific parliaments on digital transformation and innovation. In doing so, the Pacific regional hub will help Pacific parliaments to be more efficient and effective in their work, and to be more open and transparent to citizens.

Related to this transition, from 25 to 27 March 2025, the IPU and the UNDP Fiji regional parliamentary development team co-organized a three-day workshop in Suva for clerks and IT managers from 12 Pacific parliaments. The workshop focused on digital transformation and innovation in Pacific parliaments, and explored opportunities for future knowledge-sharing on relevant topics.

Host: Fiji
Pacific hub