Many countries are proactively implementing national policies and regulations to address the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI), which is becoming increasingly important across sectors such as education, business, and the economy.
The Philippines is keeping pace with global developments in AI technology and is also working to develop policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks that foster innovation while protecting against potential risks. Several agencies, such as the Department of Trade and Industry, Department of Science and Technology, University of the Philippines, and Department of Education, have already begun efforts in this direction.
A key legislative initiative is House Bill 7396, filed by Representative Robert Ace S. Barbers, known as the “Philippine Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act.” The bill aims to establish the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority (AIDA), which will be responsible for overseeing the development and deployment of AI technology in the country. AIDA will be tasked with developing a regulatory framework to ensure the ethical use of AI.
The Philippines has also developed a National AI Strategy Roadmap designed to guide AI development and integrated approaches. The strategy focuses on strengthening local AI skills and fostering innovation among startups and practitioners. Although there is a lot of interest in AI, he acknowledges that practical implementation and training remain limited. Currently, only 30% of AI users in the Philippines have proper training to use it effectively. However, we have not yet seen a complete roadmap and DTI believes it needs to be disseminated more widely.
Looking ahead to 2026, the Philippines aims to play a leading role within ASEAN by proposing a regional legal framework on AI. House Speaker Martin Romualdez announced the initiative as part of the country’s efforts to not only develop national policy but also contribute to regional standards for AI governance. Like many others, I look forward to updates on this important initiative.
In preparation for an earlier election in May this year, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) last year issued guidelines on the use of AI in election campaigns. These guidelines regulate how AI-generated content can be used to ensure it does not undermine election integrity or mislead voters. The move underscores the government’s awareness of AI’s potential impact on democratic processes.
Other pending bills related to AI include HB 7913 (Artificial Intelligence Regulation Act), HB 7983 (Artificial Intelligence Development Act establishing a National AI Research Center), and HB 9448 (Worker Protection for Artificial Intelligence Automation Act). ), including HB 10385 (AI Regulations). HB 10460 (An Act to Establish an AI Bureau within the DICT), HB 10460 (Protecting Employees from Dismissal and Dismissal due to AI-Enabled Automation), and HB 10567 (Proposing Fines for Undisclosed Deepfakes).
As these efforts progress, continued dialogue among stakeholders will be essential to ensure that the regulatory framework is compatible with both technological advances and ethical considerations.
