The Legal Outlook of AI in the Philippines
There are notable inconsistencies in the statistics regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Philippines. While the country is often considered low in AI readiness—due to factors such as inadequate infrastructure, limited digital literacy, and a shortage of skilled human capital—surveys reveal that 86% of Filipino knowledge workers are already utilizing AI, surpassing the global average of 75%. Despite this widespread adoption, however, the country’s legal framework for AI remains underdeveloped. As AI becomes more integrated into Philippine society, there is a growing and urgent necessity for legal frameworks that promote responsible use, protect users, and foster continuous innovation.
Regulation of Artificial Intelligence
The Philippines has embraced a sandbox approach in its efforts to understand and integrate AI. Justice Leonen even acknowledged during his keynote speech at the Manila Tech Summit 2024 that the legal profession has yet to fully comprehend the potential of artificial intelligence. To develop reasonable and fair regulations for its use, he emphasized the importance of testing the technology’s limits and adapting existing laws to keep pace with its advancements.
This sandbox approach has brought to light several pressing legal issues surrounding AI’s use in the country. Key concerns include misinformation and algorithmic bias within AI’s knowledge base, potential intellectual property infringement in AI-generated content, and significant cybersecurity risks. Additional challenges involve ensuring AI’s compliance with existing regulations and addressing transparency in data processing, given the technology’s inherent complexity.
These emerging issues emphasize the importance of a comprehensive AI legislation that not only addresses these challenges but also ensures the responsible and ethical integration of AI into society.
Prevailing Laws and Pending Bills on AI
While a comprehensive bill specifically addressing AI is yet to be enacted, there are several laws directly relevant to AI and the challenges it poses. The Data Privacy Act (R.A. No. 10173) tackles privacy issues arising from AI’s processing of personal data, while the Intellectual Property Code (R.A. No. 10372) safeguards intellectual property rights, including creations, trademarks, and protections against unfair competition.
Other legislation indirectly impacting AI includes the Philippine Innovation Act (R.A. No. 11293) and the Innovative Startup Act (R.A. No. 11337), both of which promote innovation and entrepreneurial growth for sustainable development. Similarly, the Philippine Digital Workforce Competitiveness Act (R.A. No. 11930) focuses on digital transformation in education and institutional reforms to prepare for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Complementing these efforts, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has introduced the AI Roadmap, which emphasizes digitization and infrastructure, research and development, workforce development, and regulation as key dimensions for AI readiness.
As part of the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027, the Philippine Supreme Court also implemented significant reforms to digitize both the internal and external processes of the judiciary. These initiatives include the introduction of videoconference hearings and the upcoming mandatory requirement for the electronic filing of pleadings, marking a shift toward a more efficient and technology-driven judicial system.
On the global level, the Philippines has adopted the UNESCO Recommendation on AI Ethics, prioritizing human rights as the cornerstone of regulatory frameworks for AI development and use. Additionally, the country joined the Bletchley Declaration, which underscores principles such as transparency, fairness, accountability, ethics, privacy, and data protection. The declaration also highlights the importance of addressing risks associated with AI, particularly its potential to manipulate or generate deceptive content.
Recognizing the urgent need for comprehensive AI regulations, several bills addressing AI-related concerns are currently under consideration in the 19th Congress of the House of Representatives. House Bill 7913 proposes a regulatory framework for AI usage, while House Bill 7983 seeks to establish a National Center for AI Research. House Bill 7396 outlines provisions for the development and regulation of AI in the Philippines, and House Bill 9448 focuses on regulating AI and automation, with special attention to the labor industry and its implications. These House Bills share a common objective: to regulate the use of AI in a way that maximizes its benefits while minimizing the risks it poses, ensuring that the technology’s potential is fully realized without compromising safety, fairness, or ethical considerations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while technologies like AI bring both opportunities, like AI personalized email solutions or personal AI financial advisors, and challenges in this digital age, the law serves as the foundation for their proper and ethical use. Justice Leonen’s reminder is particularly poignant: “[w]hat we would like to avoid is an extreme dependence on artificial intelligence, resulting in lazy outputs that affect the administration of justice.” At its core, the duty of lawyers remains the pursuit of justice, with technology acting merely as a tool to aid this mission. By responsibly embracing AI, lawyers can enhance their efficiency, but as this technology evolves, it is imperative that they remain committed to their role, ensuring justice is served—regardless of the tools at their disposal.
Sources:
https://law.asia/ai-law-philippines/
https://www.thefirmva.com/updates.do?id=27394
https://www.yondu.com/articles/the-state-of-artificial-intelligence-in-the-philippines
https://law.upd.edu.ph/faculty-portfolio/notes-on-pending-ai-legislation/
https://www.toolpilot.ai