Modernisation and Digital Transformation in the Cámara de Diputados of Mexico
About the Cámara de Diputados of Mexico | Written on September, 2023
Introduction
The modernisation of public institutions is a key concern in the digital age, as governments aim to catch up with technological advancements and societal demands. The Cámara de Diputados of Mexico serves as an illuminating case study of this phenomenon. Over the last two legislative periods, the Cámara de Diputados has undergone significant changes, from upgrading digital services to adopting cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence. This essay analyses the key drivers of change, the strategies employed, and the impact of these modernisation efforts on both legislators and the general public.
The Catalyst of Change: The Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic served as an unexpected yet potent catalyst for the rapid digital transformation of the Cámara de Diputados. One of the most immediate challenges was to facilitate electronic voting mechanisms that would allow deputies to perform their legislative duties remotely. Prior to the pandemic, the existing electronic system was already ageing and not adequately equipped to adapt to emerging requirements.
In response to this, the Cámara de Diputados opted to overhaul its electronic voting system. The new system incorporates biometric identification as an essential component of the voting process. Moreover, facial recognition technology has been implemented to secure both in-person and remote voting. These changes not only meet the urgency presented by the pandemic but also offer a more secure and efficient voting process in general.
Enhancing Public Accessibility: The Citizen Portal
Another significant development has been the creation of a 'Citizen Portal'. This initiative is aimed at making legislative information easily accessible to the public. The portal is bilingual, offering information in both Spanish and English, and efforts are underway to include native Mexican languages such as Náhuatl and Maya. This multilingual approach is not just a nod to inclusivity but also an essential step towards democratising access to legislative data and processes.
Videoteca: A Digital Library for Transparency
Transparency and public engagement are key aspects of any democratic institution. To this end, the Cámara de Diputados has developed a digital video library called 'Videoteca', where recordings of all legislative sessions are uploaded. Unlike before, where videos were segmented by individual contributions and only tagged with the name of the deputy, the new Videoteca offers complete session videos. Advanced search functionalities enable users to locate specific contributions by deputies down to the exact minute and second. This meticulous classification of data significantly enhances the utility of the digital library for research and public scrutiny.
Artificial Intelligence and Future Prospects
The Cámara de Diputados is also embracing artificial intelligence (AI) to improve its digital services. It has been experimenting with advanced AI technologies like GPT and Whisper for text-based search functionalities. These technologies are expected to replace the current 'Solar' search tool and introduce more nuanced, context-aware search capabilities. The integration of AI technologies is anticipated to come to fruition either by the end of this year or early next year.
Conclusion
The modernisation efforts in the Cámara de Diputados are a compelling example of how public institutions can adapt to technological advancements and societal needs. These initiatives—prompted by immediate challenges like the pandemic and guided by long-term objectives like transparency and public accessibility—demonstrate a holistic approach to institutional modernisation. As these technologies continue to evolve, they offer not only a more streamlined legislative process but also a more interactive and transparent relationship between the Cámara de Diputados and the public. This case study thus offers valuable insights that could inform similar modernisation efforts in other legislative bodies around the world.