MANILA, Philippines – President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has signed an executive order adopting a national artificial intelligence governance framework alongside creating the National Artificial Intelligence Council to oversee and guide implementation of AI tech in the country.
EO 131 was signed on Thursday, November 12, and adopts the AI Governance Framework for the Philippines as the country’s “national strategic guide for policy formulation, regulatory coordination, institutional development, capacity-building, and other governance measures necessary to support and strengthen” the Philippine AI ecosystem.
The NAIC, meanwhile, was set up to serve as the inter-agency body responsible for the coordination, facilitation, and monitoring of Al Governance Framework implementations, alongside other related initiatives.
NAIC will be chaired by an executive secretary, while the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) secretary will act as vice chair.
Alongside the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education and the director general of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, members of NAIC include the secretaries of the following institutions:
- Department of Science and Technology
- Department of Information and Communications Technology
- Department of Trade and Industry
- Department of Finance
- Department of Education
- Department of Labor and Employment
- Department of Budget and Management
Further, a representative from the private sector will be appointed by the President for the three-year term with one reappointment.
AI governance frameworkThe AI Governance Framework of the Philippines comprises four interconnected elements: ethics and principles, standards and assurance, a risk-based policy toolkit, and enabling resources.
As per the framework, AI development, deployment, and use must be human-centric, transparent, explainable, secure, safe, pursue fairness and equity, have accountability and integrity measures, and allow for sustainable development.
The framework calls for appropriate technical standards, testing and evaluation, a conformity assessment, interoperability, and other assurance mechanisms to be set up to “support the responsible, safe, secure, and trustworthy development and use of Al.”
Meanwhile, under the risk-based policy toolkit section, the framework noted that Al governance measures should be “proportionate to the nature, context, and level of risk, and may include general and sector-specific guidelines, Al impact assessments, regulatory sandboxes, review of existing laws and regulations, and coordinated complaint and grievance mechanisms.” It added that regulators that currently work in this sector should continue exercising their respective mandates under applicable laws.
Lastly, the framework noted that the government shall “strengthen institutions, data research and development, capabilities, infrastructure, and demand generation to support responsible Al development, deployment, and use.”
Monitoring and reviewA number of technical working groups will be set up to facilitate implementation of the framework, with concerned government agencies to be required to submit and regularly update the required information quarterly.
The NAIC, through DEPDev, will lead overall monitoring and reporting efforts on the implementation of the Al Governance Framework and will be required to report on the status and progress of AI Governance Framework implementation within 30 days from the end of each quarter, alongside any other reports requested by the President.
The NAIC shall review the Al Governance Framework at least once every two years — earlier if needed based on any significant technological, regulatory, or market developments — and will recommend amendments or other measures as necessary to the President.
This executive order takes effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
A copy of the executive order can be downloaded here. – Rappler.com