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Rep. Robert Ace Barbers has proposed a “superbody” to address artificial intelligence (AI) issues in the Philippines, emphasizing that embracing AI is essential for the country to stay competitive. “We Filipinos need to embrace AI because we cannot avoid it. Nearly all countries are shaping policies to integrate AI into their progress,” Barbers stated.
He advocates for a multi-agency regulatory body to manage the anticipated AI revolution, support Filipino workforce skills, boost enterprise productivity, and strengthen national competitiveness. The Department of Science and Technology, Department of Education, and the University of the Philippines are among institutions actively developing AI policies.
A national AI agency, Barbers added, could serve as a “watchdog,” enforcing penalties against misuse of AI for criminal purposes.
In March 2023, Barbers filed House Bill 7396 to establish the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority. The proposed agency would promote responsible AI usage based on principles like transparency, fairness, accountability, and privacy. The bill mandates privacy safeguards, ensuring AI technologies protect personal data and guard against discrimination and bias. Additionally, it requires organizations to be transparent about AI usage and to explain AI-driven decisions.