AI Risks and Opportunities in the Philippines
The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and policymakers gathered to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) could reshape the nation’s governance, economy, and everyday life. The 11th Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC), part of Development Policy Research Month, centered on the theme “Reimagining Governance in the Age of AI.” Experts warned that while AI holds transformative potential, its benefits risk remaining out of reach for many Filipinos without decisive government action to strengthen institutions, expand broadband access, and modernize data systems.
A Double-Edged Sword: AI as a Tool for Inclusion or Exclusion
PIDS President Philip Arnold Tuaño described AI as a powerful, double-edged tool. He emphasized that AI now enables connections, knowledge creation, and adaptation across sectors, but warned that without improvements in infrastructure, skills, and governance, most benefits could accrue to a limited segment of society—large corporations and urban residents—while rural communities and small enterprises fall further behind.
Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan echoed this concern, noting that AI is a reality that governments cannot ignore. He argued for proactive public policy to prevent a widening gap that favors those who already possess digital capabilities. The Open Access in Data Transmission Act (Konektadong Pinoy Law) was cited as a step toward broader competition and lower telecommunications costs, potentially helping to level the playing field.
Health, Aging, and the Digital Divide
The forum also highlighted how demographic shifts intersect with digital access. Dr. Grace Cruz of the UP Population Institute pointed to an aging population that is ill-prepared for a technology-driven economy. Her longitudinal study shows that six in ten older Filipinos rely on their children, and only a minority earn income independently. Internet use among seniors stands at roughly six percent, compared with 43 percent for the general population. Without targeted interventions, these disparities threaten quality of life and widen health and social gaps.
Dr. Shelley Ann de la Vega, who leads the Institute on Aging at UP Manila–NIH, underscored that the healthcare system is not yet ready for a large elderly cohort. She highlighted the limited availability of comprehensive geriatric assessment in hospitals and the scarcity of board-certified geriatricians, concentrated mainly in Metro Manila. Her optimism about gerontechnology—telehealth, remote monitoring, and digital assistive devices—must be paired with long-term care financing, retirement reform, and digital literacy initiatives to be effective.
Data Governance, Privacy, and Ethical AI
Experts like Angely Garcia of the NIH cautioned that robust data governance is essential for policy design, clinical guidance, and accountability. While AI can aid disease detection and clinical decision-making, it also raises concerns about privacy, bias, and transparency. The call was clear: investment in data systems must go hand in hand with ethical oversight and clear governance frameworks.
Christopher Lamont from Tokyo International University reminded attendees that AI governance is a broader issue—about safeguarding citizens, not merely spurring growth. Naoto Kanehira of the World Bank pointed out that fragmented datasets hinder AI efficacy, with data often inaccurate, incomplete, or non-machine-readable—a practical barrier to AI-enabled public services and evidence-based policymaking.
Towards Inclusive AI: Broadband, Literacy, and Rights-Based Policies
Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos highlighted the urgent need for nationwide broadband expansion and digital literacy to prevent building an AI-rich environment that excludes a large portion of the population. Arifah Sharifuddin warned that AI models developed abroad must be adapted to local context to avoid embedding existing biases into Philippine systems.
Science and Technology Undersecretary Leah Buendia urged regulators to balance innovation with safeguards against misinformation and data misuse. She called for ethical, rights-based AI policies and a whole-of-society approach to governance, ensuring that institutions remain resilient in the AI era. “Good governance is not measured by how advanced our technologies are, but by how well they advance the security and prosperity of our people,” she stated.
Human-Centered AI: Compassion and Thoughtful Leadership
Even as AI promises breakthroughs in medical science and public services, experts reminded attendees that technology cannot replace human qualities such as compassion, empathy, and judgment. Retired UP professor Grace Shangkuan Koo cautioned that empathy and reflective thinking remain irreplaceable, even as AI extends the reach of healthcare and governance.
Conclusion: Building a Future-Ready Philippines
The APPC underscored a central takeaway: AI’s potential to widen inequality is real unless the government, private sector, and civil society act decisively. By strengthening data governance, expanding digital infrastructure, and investing in seniors’ health and digital literacy, the Philippines can harness AI to promote inclusive progress rather than entrench existing disparities.
