"Technology and innovation offer us easy access to information, improved lifestyle, connectivity, communication, social networking and entertainment but at the same time, it may also lead to job loss, increased loneliness, addiction and psychological disorders," Mahajan was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat.

Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Tuesday said loss of jobs due to technology and impact of artificial intelligence was an important challenge which should be discussed and addressed by the international community.

She was speaking at the 139th assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, where she is leading the Indian parliamentary delegation.

"Technology and innovation offer us easy access to information, improved lifestyle, connectivity, communication, social networking and entertainment but at the same time, it may also lead to job loss, increased loneliness, addiction and psychological disorders," Mahajan was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the Lok Sabha secretariat.

She was addressing the general assembly of the IPU on the theme "Parliamentary leadership in promoting peace and development in the age of innovation and technological change".

Entire humanity was in the middle of an innovation-led technological and digital revolution, which was shaping every aspect of life on earth, she said, but asserted that a digital divide could pose a threat to global peace. 

Global partnership to finance technology, women-friendly tools, pro-poor research, impact of artificial intelligence and loss of jobs were some of the important challenges the international community must discuss and address, Mahajan said.

She underlined that sustainable development and peaceful welfare of the poor should always be at the centre of development, while highlighting the socially beneficial schemes like the mid-day meal programme, which had brought transformational changes in the lives of our children. 

India also had to its credit the greatest spiritual innovations like yoga and meditation, Mahajan added.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh also took part in the debate on the role of free-and-fair trade and investment in achieving the sustainable development goals.(PTI).