AI’s double-edged impact on the Philippines
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense promise for development, but experts warn it could widen the Philippine digital divide unless the government acts decisively. At the Philippine Institute for Development Studies’ (PIDS) 11th Annual Public Policy Conference, a diverse panel emphasized that inclusive reforms are essential as the country navigates an aging population and rapid tech change. The theme, “Reimagining Governance in the Age of AI,” underscored the need for robust institutions, expanded broadband access, and modernized data systems to ensure AI benefits reach all Filipinos, not just urban centers or large corporations.
Infrastructure and governance as the foundation
PIDS President Philip Arnold Tuaño described AI as powerful but double-edged: it can connect people, foster knowledge creation, and drive adaptation, yet its gains risk concentrating among a few unless infrastructure, skills, and governance keep pace. Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan warned that without decisive action, only big firms in cities stand to benefit, widening disparities with rural communities and small enterprises left behind. The Open Access in Data Transmission Act (Konektadong Pinoy Law) was cited as a step toward greater competition and lower telecom costs, but more is needed across the board.
Addressing the aging population and digital literacy
At the forum, experts linked the digital divide to weak support systems for older Filipinos. Dr. Grace Cruz noted a demographic shift: the country is aging before it becomes economically affluent. Her longitudinal aging study found that 69% of older adults suffer from hypertension, with many untreated, and only six percent using the internet compared with 43% of the general population. She urged policymakers to turn longevity into a “silver dividend” through health programs, data, technology, and governance that include seniors in digital life.
Dr. Shelley Ann de la Vega highlighted gaps in healthcare readiness for an aging society. With only 52% of hospitals offering comprehensive geriatric assessment and a small cadre of geriatricians (155 nationwide, mostly in Metro Manila), she pointed to gerontechnology as a promising avenue. Yet, technology alone cannot fix systemic issues. A national long-term care insurance program, retirement reforms, and digital literacy initiatives are critical to ensure older Filipinos are not left behind as AI evolves.
Data governance and the governance of AI
Healthy data governance emerged as a central theme. Angely Garcia of the National Institutes of Health stressed that robust information systems and ethical oversight are essential for policy-informed decisions and responsible clinical practice. While AI can aid disease detection and care, risks such as privacy violations, bias, and opacity require careful management.
Experts like Christopher Lamont of Tokyo International University urged viewing AI as a governance challenge, not merely a technical one. Naoto Kanehira of the World Bank noted that fragmented, unreliable datasets hinder AI’s effectiveness, with data often being inaccurate, incomplete, or not machine-readable. Without reliable data, the promise of AI to improve public services remains out of reach for many Filipinos.
Ensuring inclusive AI growth
Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos warned that without urgent investment in broadband and digital literacy, AI will empower the connected while excluding the disconnected. Arifah Sharifuddin cautioned that AI models trained abroad must be adapted to Philippine realities to avoid embedding local biases. Science and Technology Undersecretary Leah Buendia called for ethical, rights-based AI policies and a whole-of-society governance approach to regulate innovation while protecting citizens.
Retired UP professor Dr. Grace Shangkuan Koo reminded attendees that while AI can extend life through medical breakthroughs, compassion and empathy remain uniquely human. The broader message: governance that prioritizes security, equity, and prosperity for all is essential as the country reimagines governance in the age of AI.
