On the initiative of opposition party the Luxembourg Socialist Workers’ Party (LSAP), members of Luxembourg’s parliament held a debate on Wednesday on the future of digital transformation and the integration of artificial intelligence in public administration.
The government has set out to make Luxembourg a pioneer in digitalisation, focusing on AI, e-government, and cybersecurity. But LSAP MP Ben Polidori argued that ambition has yet to translate into a coherent strategy.
“We are still far from achieving genuine e-government in Luxembourg. The state apparatus needs fundamental transformation,” Polidori said. “Digitalisation isn’t just about adopting new software or technologies. It’s about fostering a digital culture, one based on transparency, efficiency, and accessibility.”
Digitalisation Minister Stéphanie Obertin pushed back on the criticism, pointing to the progress made in recent years.
“Luxembourg is not starting from zero,” she said. “We’ve worked to establish ourselves as a digital hub, with four data centres, a strong research community in quantum technologies, robust high-speed internet infrastructure, and expertise in post-quantum cryptography. Private providers also offer sovereign cloud services.”
Polidori noted that digitalisation could significantly ease administrative burdens for people with disabilities.The Christian Social People’s Party (CSV) MP Maurice Bauer added that digital transformation should be inclusive by design.
“We must ensure that nobody is left behind,” Bauer said. “That includes offering training to those who want to engage digitally, while maintaining non-digital options for those who can’t or prefer not to.”
Alexandra Schoos of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) echoed this sentiment, warning against a one-size-fits-all approach:
“Digital public services must not be mandatory. Citizens must always have the choice, and their data must be protected at every step. Security protocols need constant updates to reflect evolving threats.”
She adds: “There are people who, for a variety of reasons, choose not to use digital channels, and it’s not just the elderly. As public services become increasingly digital, safeguarding data becomes even more critical. The protection of citizens’ personal information must be guaranteed at all times, with all necessary security measures regularly updated.”
MPs from across party lines agreed that while digital tools like chatbots can be helpful, they cannot replace personal contact. Human interaction must remain a core element of public service delivery.
Polidori submitted a motion calling for the centralised coordination of digitalisation efforts under a single ministry. However, the motion did not pass.
