Justice chief seeks legislation vs. AI-backed cyber crimes

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 24) – Congress should look into possible legislation against the use of artificial intelligence in cyber crimes, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said on Friday.

“AI is only a tool. Human beings using AI to get what they want, achieving what they want in violation of the law have to be punished,” he said in a press conference.

Remulla said Congress should look into the “kinds of specific offenses that will be charged against the people who use AI to do the same thing, to achieve the desired effect.”

“It's a very important and urgent thing for us to talk to Congress about legal reform in this regard,” he said.

A number of sectors have tapped AI over the past year. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has called for foreign investors to fund the government's development of AI.

Asked how the DOJ is addressing the rise in cybercrime through advanced technology and AI, Remulla said the agency has been asking for more resources.

“Probably today, we will be going again to Malacanang to look at the tools that we need to fight and defend against cybercrime and crimes committed with the use of mobile devices,” he said.

“These are very, very important programs that we have to acquire for the government but it can only be in the hands of the right people because these are very powerful tools we may need to fight all of these crimes,” he added.

The Philippine National Police said cybercrime reports in Metro Manila more than doubled in the first half of 2023.

A lawmaker earlier called for the creation of an agency to monitor AI use in the workplace and for cybercrimes.