Be prepared for AI technology – Philippines urged to stay ahead

The Philippines is being urged to prepare for the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) technology by developing governance and ethics guidelines. Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Ace Barbers, Chairman of the House Committee on Dangerous Drugs, has called on policymakers to establish laws for the use, development, and implementation of a national AI strategy. Barbers introduced House Bill 7396 earlier this year, which proposes the creation of the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority (AIDA) to oversee the development and deployment of AI technologies. The University of the Philippines has also produced a draft set of 10 guiding principles on the responsible use of AI. These developments come in response to the fast growth and acceptance of AI, particularly in academic settings. However, concerns have been raised about potential job displacement, particularly in the country’s BPO industry and other sectors. The local business process outsourcing industry alone currently employs over 528,000 call center employees. It is crucial that measures are put in place to ensure that the benefits of AI are maximized while minimizing any negative impacts. The establishment of governance and ethics guidelines is seen as a necessary step towards achieving this balance.