National AI policy passage pushed in the Philippines

Lawmakers in the Philippines are encouraged to pass a national policy on artificial intelligence (AI) amid the advancement of technology.

In an email interview with CoinGeek, Professor Eugene Rex Jalao, the Program Coordinator for the Artificial Intelligence Program at the University of the Philippines, pointed out gaps in existing laws, particularly concerning intellectual property rights and labor protections related to AI use.

“There should be labor law protections from AI wherein companies planning to deploy AI solutions should not be used as a reason to replace our jobs but only to enhance our productivity. These gaps need to be addressed,” Jalao said.

“The national policy would help fund AI research, AI laboratories, and equipment procurement.”

The proposed establishment of AI council

A legislative proposal to create a regulatory framework for advancing and utilizing AI systems awaits Congress deliberation.

Presented by Representative Keith Micah Tan of Quezon 4th District in May 2023, House Bill 7913 seeks not only to establish guidelines but also to institute the Philippine Council on Artificial Intelligence.

This council, envisioned as a policy-making and advisory body operating under the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), is intended to play a pivotal role in shaping the nation’s approach to AI.

Jalao stressed the importance of including academic and research perspectives in the council to ensure a comprehensive approach to AI advancement.

“The bill needs to be reviewed by actual professionals doing AI here in the Philippines,” he said.

“The creation of the Philippine Council on AI needs to include an academic professor teaching AI and a researcher that produces AI research. These have to be included in the council since they provide a different perspective on the AI advancement in the country.”

Jalo said that the credentials of AI council members need to be specified that they work on AI systems, not on Data Science, since these are two different fields.

He also highlighted the challenge of enforcing transparency and explainability in AI algorithms, noting that many current models operate as “black boxes.”

AI development in the Philippines

Jalao highlighted the significant strides made in AI implementation across various sectors in the Philippines.

“AI is aggressively used in a lot of tech companies here in the Philippines,” he stated, citing examples ranging from chatbots to robotics and computer vision applications.

Creation of a national research institute

Looking ahead, Jalao expressed optimism about the potential impact of the proposed legislation on shaping AI development in the Southeast Asian country.

He envisioned the council endorsing initiatives such as creating a National AI Research Institute and providing vital resources and support for Filipino researchers.

Potential hurdles of the national AI policy

“Congress might not grasp the technological implications of AI,” Jalao said.

Jalao cautioned there’s a possible lack of support and understanding of AI’s implications among Filipino lawmakers.

Moreover, Jalao underscored the need for higher education institutions to offer specialized AI programs.

He called for the development of standardized curricula and competency frameworks to ensure quality education and skill development in AI.

“AI will only grow, and the Philippines must capitalize on the use of AI to expand the economy,” he asserted.

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Watch: AIBC Summit Manila highlights blockchain solutions, AI innovation in the Philippines