CHR Urges a Human-Centric Approach to AI
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) of the Philippines has issued a firm reminder: the many benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) must never come at the expense of workers’ rights. In its recent position paper, the CHR stressed that AI should be developed and deployed within clear legal frameworks that safeguard security of tenure, protect against unemployment, and uphold the dignity of every worker.
Foundations for Responsible AI Governance
According to the CHR, AI should be used to advance fundamental rights, including dignity, freedom, and equality. As AI technologies increasingly shape daily life and the labor market, the CHR stressed that development and use must be anchored in democratic principles, ethical considerations, and international human rights standards. This framing calls for more than technical safeguards; it calls for rights-based governance that ensures transparency and accountability in how AI systems affect workers.
Balancing Innovation with Rights Protection
The CHR highlighted concerns around privacy, non-discrimination, and freedom of expression—rights that are enshrined in the Constitution, the Data Privacy Act, and the Cybercrime Prevention Act. The memo warns that unchecked AI deployment could erode protections if governance gaps are left unaddressed. A human rights-based approach, the CHR argues, is essential to ensure technological progress does not diminish the people’s ability to enjoy their inherent rights fully.
Legal Frameworks as a Cornerstone
One of the CHR’s core recommendations is the creation of a foundational Magna Carta for Responsible AI. Such a law would consolidate all AI-related measures within Congress and provide a unified standard for the development and regulation of AI across sectors. The CHR emphasizes that this legislation must be rooted in human rights principles, transparency, multi-stakeholder participation, and alignment with international norms. Without these elements, AI could outpace the protective measures that workers rely on in today’s dynamic labor environment.
Article 6 of ICESCR and the Right to Work
In citing Article 6 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), to which the Philippines is a State Party, the CHR underscores the government’s obligation to safeguard everyone’s right to gain a living through freely chosen work. This reminder anchors AI governance in universally recognized standards, ensuring that automation and data-driven decision-making do not disenfranchise workers or create new forms of precarity.
Implications for Policymaking and Industry
Policy makers are urged to integrate a human rights-based lens into all AI initiatives. This includes mechanisms to assess the potential impact of AI on job security, continuous learning opportunities for workers, and safeguards against discriminatory outcomes. For the private sector, the CHR’s position paper serves as a call to embed ethical considerations into product design, deployment, and ongoing monitoring. It also signals the importance of transparency about how AI systems make decisions that affect employment, wages, and working conditions.
Paths Forward: Collaboration and Accountability
The CHR advocates for a collaborative approach that involves workers’ representatives, civil society, industry, and government agencies. A multi-stakeholder framework would help ensure AI governance is not only technically sound but also socially just. Accountability mechanisms—audits, impact assessments, and accessible redress processes—are essential to address grievances and remedy harms stemming from AI applications in the workplace.
Conclusion: Protecting Rights While Embracing Innovation
As AI technologies become more embedded in employment and everyday life, the CHR’s stance is clear: progress must be aligned with human rights, constitutional protections, and international standards. By pursuing a Magna Carta for Responsible AI and enforcing rights-based governance, the Philippines can foster innovation that enhances productivity without compromising workers’ security or dignity. In this balanced vision, AI serves the people, not the other way around.
