AI governance framework coming   

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) is eyeing the release of the country’s first artificial intelligence (AI) governance framework this September, pending final approval from President Marcos.

According to DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, the department will present the final framework to the President, hoping to fit it into his schedule this month.

READ: Bill that seeks to regulate use of artificial intelligence filed in Senate

“It’s already done, more or less. He (Marcos) gave recommendations that will make it more workable and flexible, so we can achieve the objective of using AI as part of our tools driving development,” Balisacan told reporters.

He added that the framework would cover the use of AI tools across key sectors, including education, health and public infrastructure. It will also map out ways to shorten government processes and improve project monitoring and implementation.

“It has a lot of potential to improve the way the government operates. It can improve efficiency and help us in the fight against corruption,” he said.

DEPDev first announced the AI governance framework in late April. The framework will follow the ecosystem of the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy and adopt a human-centered and rights-based approach to AI.

The framework comes as the Philippines continues to lag behind its regional peers in AI preparedness. Balisacan earlier said it could help close this gap and turn AI into a growth driver for the Philippine economy, which has been struggling to regain momentum.

Already, separate reports from think tanks and economists have warned that the Philippines is missing out on gains from the global AI boom.

Moody’s Analytics said the country’s AI potential was being weighed down by weak domestic demand, sluggish investment and political uncertainty.

READ: Moody’s: PH growth losing momentum

Meanwhile, Capital Economics said the Philippines was not positioned to capture the productivity gains that wider AI adoption could bring amid weak export performance compared with its peers.

DEPDev’s framework will serve as the government’s formal policy on AI, while the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Information and Communications Technology will continue implementing AI programs across sectors, including education, health and agriculture. INQ