Digital lawmaking: evolving landscape of digital lawmaking and the integration of digital twins

Abstract In the digital age, the legislative process—the cornerstone of democracy—is being profoundly transformed by advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). Despite its significance, this shift remains largely overlooked in public and academic discussions. There is still no established field of ‘digital lawmaking,’ while concerns are growing about the transparency of AI use and its impact on legislation and democratic decision-making. This study provides a structured overview of the current state of digitalization in lawmaking, with a particular focus on the growing use of AI across parliaments. Drawing on international examples, it aims to increase transparency in legislative processes and to support the development of future-oriented digital solutions. Beyond describing current developments, the paper explores the potential, feasibility, and ethical basis of what could emerge as the most promising technological concept for future legislative processes: digital twins—as transformative tools for legislative planning and monitoring.