Senator pushes framework on AI use

SEN. Mark Villar on Wednesday pressed for the establishment of a framework on the use of artificial intelligence (AI), saying the country has not taken action to regulate it, aside from coming up with a roadmap in 2019.

«There have been many developments with AI in the past four years since the 2019 Roadmap. It has since boomed into heightened use across different sectors. It is time to have a framework regulating the use and development of AI for the welfare of the employees of industries utilizing AI,» Villar said.

He filed Senate Resolution 588, directing the proper Senate committee to conduct an inquiry, in aid of legislation, on the emerging use of AI in different sectors and/or industries, and for the establishment of a framework related to the adoption, promotion, development and fair use of the technology.

«As the Philippines embraces the use of AI in various day-to-day activities, a substantial part of this technology remains unchartered. We have no idea how to properly approach AI in terms of the regulation of its use. With this resolution, we are hoping that the Senate inquiry will bring light to information about AI that we can use to build a legal framework,» he said.

The senator hopes that the inquiry will also look into the impact of AI on the daily lives of Filipinos, as it presents risks and opportunities.

While AI has the potential to augment human capabilities, increase efficiency and accuracy, and eliminate manual labor, Villar said the technology can also lead to job displacement and widen income inequalities.

«Aside from having the legal framework, we will also look into how it affects the daily lives of Filipinos. Does AI widen the unemployment of our countrymen? How can this be a help for the people? Where do we draw the line between the helpful use of AI and its compromises?» Villar said.

«With the booming use of AI in different sectors, we need increased partnerships with experienced professionals, so we'll know how to properly deal with AI, especially now that we still do not have the legal framework for this novel technology all the while its use has spread throughout,» the senator added.

He applauded President Ferdinand Marcos for leading