The Critical Futures Program (CFP)—one of the newest programs of the UP Center for Integrative and Development Studies (CIDS)—held, as its first forum, a discussion on the issues surrounding artificial intelligence (AI), rapid development in AI technologies, and the impact of AI on Filipino workers, on June 23 at Ang Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman.
“Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work in the Philippines,” gathered experts from the academe, government, civil society, and the private sector.
Dr. Emmanuel Lallana, Professorial Fellow and CFP convenor, led with an analysis of the opportunities for increased productivity and economic growth with the use of AI in several industries. He also talked about the challenges such as worsening overall inequality in the global economy and employment displacement as human labor is replaced with AI, especially in sectors like the business process outsourcing industry and the gig economy.
He proposed the promotion of AI literacy, strategic upskilling and reskilling, use of competency-based education and microcredentials, and deployment of AI in the capacity-building of workers to cushion the impact of AI on the labor force. Lallana also urged experts to reflect on the society they envision to build with AI and to enable meaningful participation in this national conversation to develop what he called a “public interest AI.”
“What we really should be asking ourselves every time we think of AI development, governance, and all aspects of AI is: ‘How does it serve the public?’” he emphasized.
UP President Angelo Jimenez opened the forum while William Emmanuel Yu, Chief Technology Officer of Novare Technologies, served as the reactor to Lallana’s presentation, offering insights from his experience in working in the industry, academe, and civil society.
CFP aims to examine urgent issues facing the nation in a technologically-driven but environmentally challenged world through research, fostering dialogue among stakeholders, and developing policy recommendations to enable the use of digital technology in achieving inclusive and sustainable development.
