The Ambit Coalition - Philippines Council 

Public Call on Ethics, Safety, and Governance of AI in the Philippines  
12 May 2023

To:  The Officials of DTI and DICT, Members of the Philippine Congress, and the National AI Roadmap Advisory Committee:

Recently, Rep. Jose Salceda, the principal sponsor of House Bill No. 7600 seeking to amend the Intellectual Property Code (R.A. No. 8293) voiced concerns about the potential misuse of AI to commit copyright infringement. Shortly after, Senator Imee Marcos called for an inquiry into the use of AI which may pose a major threat to workers in the Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) and Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) industries. Marcos added that Congress must formulate regulatory measures against severe unemployment and make the necessary amendments to the Intellectual Property Code (RA 8293), Revised Penal Code (Act No. 3815), and Cybercrime Prevention Act (RA 10175).

The Ambit Philippines welcomes the openness of legislators to address issues posed by AI in legislation. However, we note with concern that the measures are by far piecemeal and seek to solve very specific issues by regulating or prohibiting certain conduct. Beyond this, regulations in place are wanting in terms of providing general frameworks within which the AI industry can flourish.

To this end, we welcome the filing of bills of a comprehensive nature, such as H.B. No. 7396, which seeks to promote “the development and regulation of Artificial Intelligence in the Philippines” filed on March 1 of this year, and more recently, H.B.  No. 07913 which seeks to establish a regulatory framework for a “robust, reliable, and trustworthy development, application, and use of AI systems” filed on May 2, 2023. To be truly responsible for the intricacies and need of the times, such legislation must be borne from open discussion among all key stakeholders so that the nation may at once support progress in the field while tempering AI's unintended consequences.  

We urge the members of the National AI Roadmap Advisory Committee and respective departments to act on the following recommendations, among others promptly:

I. From Global to National

1. Carry forward and make the official National AI Strategy of the Philippines publicly accessible.  
   Out of 7 Southeast Asian countries included in the AIDV-2022 Index Report, 4 countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam) have made their official national AI strategy publicly available - while the Philippines only released a national AI roadmap. We urge the national government to ensure an inclusive and meaningful process for the development of the strategy; as well as provide an opportunity for comment on the recommendations regarding mandates on AI that could have far-reaching consequences for the Filipino people. 
2. Carry forward and promptly establish the National AI Ethics, Safety, and Governance Committee
   We recommend that this committee welcome collaboration with reputable global institutions that are making strides in AI policy, standards, and governance; as well as local organizations that propose concrete solutions and mechanisms to address AI impacts in the Philippines. This committee can be initially formed by hosting thematic working groups prior to finalizing the national AI strategy. 
3. Implement the UNESCO Recommendation on Ethics of AI, already endorsed by the Philippines, so as to align Philippine national AI policy with other democratic nations
4. Ensure that the National AI Ethics and Governance Committee have a regional representation across the Philippines and move forward with an inclusive regulation for AI -  both on AI ethics and AI safety
   AI impacts and risks are not confined within the bounds of the nation’s capital. The National AI Ethics, Safety, and Governance Committee of the Philippines must uphold regional representation across the country. Inclusion and diversity are provisions in the UNESCO Ethics of AI Recommendation.
5. Propose the creation of an Upskilling and AI literacy program in the Philippines 
   We propose a nationwide program to equip all Filipinos, including BPO workers, for the AI age. Universal reskilling through separate tracks for emerging AI users and builders is the demand of this century. This will allow the Philippines to spearhead AI among its Asian peers and augment competitiveness, boosting the economy, supporting local industries, and fostering job creation across the nation.
6. Adopt the recommendations from the index report AI and Democratic Values 
   The report is a substantial source for emerging AI frameworks both worldwide and countrywide. The 12 metrics it measures are a good starting point for the National AI Roadmap Advisory Committee to advance the work on developing the national AI strategy and policies. 

 

II. Local provisions  

1. We demand the establishment of a sectoral AI roadmap dashboard and coordination with local government units. 
   AI impacts are cross-cutting from its technical aspect down to sectors. A national AI dashboard that will host the database for AI industry roadmaps in the country is necessary to effectively map out the (i) local and imminent, (ii) short to long-term, and (iii) existential risks AI may bring about in the Philippines. 
2. We recommend mandating specific provisions in protecting the rights of children and other vulnerable groups around data, algorithms, deep synthesis, and generative AI management.
   We urge the President to declare a ban on using generative AI technology to manipulate or harm minors, the elderly, minorities, and other vulnerable groups. 
3. We encourage including the environment, ecosystems flourishing, and sustainability as principles that AI and digital services providers/users should consider. 
4. We encourage engagement with civil society organizations.
   The Ambit – Philippine Council reaffirms robust mechanisms for independent oversight of AI systems, transparency, and accountability in the procurement and implementation of these systems in public services. 
5. We urge defining a fixed term in addressing user complaints and reporting AI harms.
6. We also encourage defining a fixed term in addressing citizen reporting. 
   The critical factor in AI among all nascent technologies is its rate of acceleration. We suggest incorporating a requirement that service providers and respective government units act within a fixed or reasonable time period and include those provisions in our laws.   
7. We demand transparency in the government’s supervision and inspection of AI and digital service providers. 

We have followed the development of Philippine digital regulations over several years and conclude that RA 10173 (Data Protection), RA 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention), and RA 8293 (Intellectual Property Code) are not enough to safeguard the Filipino people from the risks that come with AI. To begin with, there is a need to enact laws on algorithmic, deep synthesis, and generative AI management, among others.  

Moreover, we urge the Philippine Government and the National AI Roadmap Advisory Committee to engage in fairness, privacy, transparency, and accountability not just for AI systems, but for all digital services in the Philippines. Note that these principles are already enshrined in the GPA Resolutions: AI Ethics, AI and Accountability, and Government Access to Data —all of which the Philippines is a co-sponsor. We humbly suggest that the national AI strategy of the Philippines align with these principles. In addition, UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence calls on members to respect and promote these principles.

Thank you for considering our views. The Ambit welcomes engagement with governments for AI and digital policies to promote ethical AI governance for the majority world. In this regard, The Ambit – Philippine Council would be pleased to offer you our advice and expertise. We welcome the opportunity to discuss this further and answer any inquiries you may have.

Co-chairs: 

• Lyantoniette Chua, Founder and Global Convenor, The Ambit; Fellow, Center for AI and Digital Policy
• Feil Immanuel Aquino, Founder and National Convenor, The Ambit Philippines 

Founding Members of the Philippine Council: 

• Dominic Ligot, Founder CEO & CTO, Cirrolytix 
• S Angelo Santiago, Senior Lecturer, UP College of Law, UP School of Library and Information Studies
• Neriah “BJ” Ato, Lead Organizer, Pizza Py Cebu Python Users Group 
• Pepe Bawagan, Advocacy Director, Filipino Freethinkers 
• Elmerei Cuevas, Executive Director, Effective Altruism Philippines

Supporting Organizations  

• The Ambit; The Ambit Philippines    
• Center for AI and Digital Policy  
• Data Ethics PH      

Attachment: Read the FULL STATEMENT here. 

Email sent to: DTI USec, DICT Secretary; Sen. Marcos, Rep. Recto, Rep. Salceda . 

CC:  DICT Usec for Egov; Sen A. Cayetano, Sen. Villar, Sen. P. Cayetano, Sen S. Angara; Rep. Tiangco, Rep. Marquez . 

BCC: National Ethics Committee; Peter Sy (Whitepaper on AI Governance); Dr. Adrienne Heinrich (ADI); Joseph Jerome Francia (GMA Network). 

 

_____________________________________________

About the Organization
The Ambit is a global civic and social organization converging the Majority World nations at the center of ethical AI governance. Its founding chapter, The Ambit Philippines, aims to pioneer this initiative by empowering nations with shared development goals, history as present and former colonies, as well as the concentration of disenfranchised populations and marginalized groups - through partnerships, education, and policy advocacy.

As a coalition stimulating insight into action, this means:

• researching the impact of AI on disenfranchised populations and marginalized communities;
• forging alliances with stakeholders beyond global centers of capital and innovation;
• strengthening the capacities of policymakers, researchers, and communities through public-private initiatives; and
• advocating for AI policies, standards, and best practices that consider the context, ethics, and priorities of the Majority World (the Global South —and the Souths that are scattered in the Global North).

Be part of our movement: 
The Ambit welcomes new national convenors that found new chapters across Majority World nations. Please reach us through our LinkedIn page  or via email at contact@theambit.org .

The Ambit Philippines is hosting thematic working groups in the coming months. If you are interested in participating or leading one, please reach us through our FB page or via email at council.phl@theambit.org .