The Department of Information and Communications Technology is taking charge of an initiative to establish standards and a regulatory framework for governing artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.
According to Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, ICT undersecretary for industry development, while creating AI standards and regulations requires a multi-sectoral and multidisciplinary approach, it must have centralized leadership to ensure a harmonized and comprehensive framework.
She pointed out that while AI is already making waves in the Philippines, with numerous AI-enabled platforms emerging, it is crucial to find a balance between innovation and regulation.
“What we need in the Philippines is a way to balance all the factors that will make us succeed as a country in deploying, designing, developing AI systems… (while also) ensuring that the use of AI will not harm ordinary citizens,” she added.
She highlighted DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy’s caution against “over regulation,” warning that it could hinder innovation as Filipinos begin to explore the benefits and challenges of AI technology, which is expected to profoundly transform the global economy and society.
The DICT, under the DICT Act of 2015 (RA 10844), is mandated to design and implement policies, frameworks, and standards related to information and communications technology, with a particular focus on emerging technologies like AI.
It is collaborating with the international community and the private sector to conduct AI governance and ethics training.
The balance between innovation and regulation will be one of the most prominent challenges when it comes to how we deal with artificial intelligence. The ability to achieve that balance will determine if it becomes a helping hand or our worst enemy, which is critical in the coming months, as our country joins the rest of the world in adjusting and adapting to AI. Whoever can find that balance or recipe first will have a competitive advantage that could allow us to have a headstart as far as AI is concerned.*
