Rep Barbers urges creation of AIDA for ethical AI regulation

A lawmaker in the Philippines has renewed calls for the creation of an 'AI Development Authority' (AIDA) to regulate artificial intelligence development and usage ethically and responsibly.

Surigao del Norte Representative Robert Ace Barbers, who filed House Bill No. 7396 last year, emphasized that Filipinos need to embrace AI due to its potential impacts on education, business, and the economy while addressing concerns about misuse.

The proposed authority would include representatives from various government agencies such as the Department of Science and Technology, National Privacy Commission, and law enforcement to develop national AI strategies and set standards for ethical use.

Barbers highlighted that almost all countries are already formulating policies or laws regarding AI development, underscoring the Philippines' need for a multi-agency regulatory body to address risks and challenges posed by rapid technological advancements in AI.

The bill aims to establish a comprehensive framework for AI regulation, including provisions to protect privacy and prevent discrimination, while ensuring proper use of emerging technology and addressing ethical issues such as job security and copyright infringement.

Barbers urged the House of Representatives to prioritize his bill so that the Philippine government could maximize AI's benefits while mitigating possible drawbacks.

The proposed authority would act as a watchdog to guard against and penalize unscrupulous use of AI, protecting personal data used in machine learning.