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Dr Tarisai Mutangi, a Law Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe, has urged legislators aligned with the Southern African Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF) to craft regulations to harness artificial intelligence and legal technology for effective and efficient parliamentary processes.
He was making a presentation today in Victoria Falls during a symposium on artificial intelligence at the ongoing 57th Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC PF.
Dr. Mutangi said AI tools can assist in faster drafting of bills, model laws, and checking for consistency, legal conflicts, or outdated references. It improves productivity and reduces human error in legal text generation.
On the other hand, AI-powered legal research tools can quickly analyze large datasets—legislation, analyze court decisions, and policy documents— supporting better-informed decisions. This enables real-time impact analysis of proposed laws.
Tools such as natural language processing (NLP) and AI chatbots can summarize complex bills and enable citizens to provide feedback. They generally make parliamentary processes more accessible and inclusive. The tools may trace patterns in government behaviour such as spending, implementation of laws, or administrative decisions—enhancing the accountability of decision-makers and enabling proactive parliamentary oversight through predictive analytics and real-time updates.
When fully developed to its context, AI can analyze social, economic, and legal data to help lawmakers understand the potential consequences of legislation and encourage fact-based, data-driven legislative initiatives.
Around the world, Parliaments are already using AI—and the results are transformative. Kenya’s Judiciary is using speech-to-text AI to transcribe court proceedings, saving time and backlog. This technology can be used to capture Parliamentary proceedings. Brazil’s Congress’ AI tool ‘Ulysses’ scans proposed bills and alerts MPs to duplicate or unconstitutional clauses. Estonia’s e-Government uses AI to automate legal compliance checks in minutes.
In South Africa’s Parliament, trials are underway for machine learning models that sort thousands of submissions received during public consultations. Canada’s Legislative Drafters use a Legaltech platform that suggests wording based on past laws, improving consistency and clarity. These technologies are not flawless—but when used wisely, they amplify rather than undermine parliamentary sovereignty.
Dr Mutangi added that stakeholders must address the potential risks of AI and ensure its responsible development and deployment. He said without regulation to enforce accountability, AI systems could pose dangers to human life, privacy, and ethical standards.
“Furthermore, unregulated AI can erode public trust, create security vulnerabilities, and potentially lead to unintended consequences. Technology should serve democracy—not weaken it. As Parliament integrates AI and Legal Technology, several foundational legal and ethical questions arise that go beyond operational efficiency and enter the realm of democratic integrity.”
He reiterated that regulations should primarily focus on the societal impact and risks of AI, rather than just the technology itself.
“Governments and regulators need to build expertise in AI to effectively oversee its development and deployment. Dialogue and collaboration among governments, industry, civil society, and academia are crucial. Regulatory frameworks need to be agile and adaptable to evolving AI capabilities. Efforts to align international standards and national frameworks, where possible, could reduce burdens and foster global innovation,” Dr Mutangi said.
Dr. Tirivangani Magadza, the Director of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence of the Harare Institute of Technology said AI and digital transformation begin with purpose, not platforms
“Too often, organizations embark on digital transformation or adopt artificial intelligence by chasing the latest tools, platforms, or technologies. But real transformation doesn’t start with what you have—it starts with what you need to solve. The purpose should be the compass. When you start with a clear mission—whether it’s improving public service delivery, streamlining operations, enhancing customer experience, or solving a pressing societal challenge—then the technology becomes a means, not the end.
“AI is not a silver bullet. Without a purpose-driven approach, even the most advanced systems lead to digital confusion rather than transformation. But when guided by purpose, AI can amplify impact, unlock insights, and drive sustainable, meaningful change. True digital maturity is measured not by how much technology is deployed, but by how well it aligns with institutional goals and delivers value.”
