WITH the launch of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmap, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) intends to make big data processing the next sunny sector in the Philippines after the business-process outsourcing (BPO) industry.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said on Wednesday during a virtual event the strategy aims to increase adoption and utilization of AI in various sectors in the country to advance industrial development. These include agriculture, automotive sector, smart manufacture, health-care services and BPO.
“Our country can also serve as a big data processing hub providing high-value data analytics and AI services to the world, and this can become our next higher value, higher paying service-winner after the BPO industry,” he said.
The national AI strategy aims to boost the regional and global competitiveness of the local industry with the use of AI to drive innovation. In addition, it targets to identify key areas in research and development and technology application for investment.
Lopez said the road map will recommend ways to enable collaboration among the government, industry and academe to foster national development.
The Trade chief said the strategy also aims to “put forward approaches for preparing the future work force for the jobs of the future” while attracting the “biggest industries to set up shop in the country,” which is seen to generate more job opportunities.
Lopez said that AI technologies are a boon for the business sector because they can help in cutting operating costs, improving efficiency, boosting revenues and enhancing customer experience.
“By deploying the right AI technology, businesses can save time and money by automating and optimizing routine processes and tasks,” he explained.
The road map also intends to set up the private sector-led National Center for AI Research (N-CAIR), which will serve as the shared hub for research and development in AI.
The consultancy services to be offered by N-CAIR, Lopez said, will be beneficial for the government agencies, industries and other research centers in the country.
Apart from urging companies to build their AI capacity, the Center is also tasked with assisting the micro, small and medium enterprises in improving their efficiency and productivity through AI tools.
Lopez said that AI technology has been a very “critical tool” in adapting to the new normal in pandemic, noting it has been used in banks, chatbots, supply chain and knowledge management, among others.
The Trade chief clarified that while AI will automate many jobs, he said this should be viewed as opportunities for new and higher-income jobs.
AI council
IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (Ibpap) President Rey E. Untal said it is “urgent” to establish a national AI council wherein the government, academe and various sectors are represented following the launch of the road map.
“I think it is quite urgent that we quickly formalize the governance structure. I think we urgently need to form, identify the members and mobilize the national AI council,” he explained.
Untal said the council should have a “very clear charter and mandate” and create both short- and long-term goals that are “meaningful yet ambitious.”
The Ibpap head also stressed the need to have a multiyear budget allocation for the road map like other countries are doing to develop AI.
“This [AI road map] endeavors require national level support. It would be ideal for the head of state or our president to make a pronouncement that this is a multiyear priority for the country. So that everybody will move along in their proper places,” he added.
Untal also suggested the creation of technical working groups (TWG) covering interests in education and industry alliances, among others. A TWG, he said, can also focus on legislations for responsible AI use in the country.
Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of regulatory measures for AI, citing data management and cyber security.
“Amid technological disruptions, regulators are faced with key challenges such as how to protect citizens, ensure fair market, address potential unintended consequences of disruption and enforce regulation while allowing these new technologies and businesses to flourish,” she said.