The Philippines needs a multi-agency regulatory body that would deal with the AI revolution in order to improve the skills of Filipinos, boost business productivity, and make the economy more competitive, according to Rep. Robert Barbers of the Surigao del Norte 2nd District, who is also the overall chair of the House quad committee and the Committee on Dangerous Drugs.
“Halos lahat ng bansa sa mundo ay nagsasagawa na ng mga pambansang polisiya o batas sa patuloy na pag-unlad ng kaalaman tungkol sa AI,” Barbers said
The bill proposed for the creation of a "superbody" in the Philippines as the country needs one that will both encourage growth and oversee the use of AI to ensure that it is carried out in an ethical and responsible manner.
Embracing AI
According to Barbers' bill, the head of the Department of Information and Communications Technology's ICT Industry Development Bureau would serve as the vice chair of the AI Development Authority, which would be chaired by the executive director of the Department of Science and Technology's Information and Communications Technology Office.
The Director of the National Computer Center, a representative expert from the academic community, and a representative expert from the corporate sector would also serve on the board of the proposed organization.
“We Filipinos need to embrace AI because we cannot avoid it. Hindi dapat tayo magpahuli sa mga bagay na ito dahil malaki ang magiging impact nito sa ating lipunan, partikular na sa edukasyon, negosyo at ekonomiya,” Barbers said.
Refiling the bill
Last year, Barbers submitted House Bill No. 7396, which called for the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority to handle the tasks, responsibilities, and duties involved in creating and executing a national AI plan.
According to Barbers, the swift development of AI technology presents risks and difficulties that need to be resolved to optimize its positive effects and reduce, if not completely prevent its bad ones.
The bill advocates for a comprehensive framework for the development and regulation of AI, including safeguards to protect people's privacy and personal data to eliminate bias and discrimination in AI technology.
