Individuals knowledgeable in AI will replace unskilled workers – expert

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 25) — Artificial intelligence (AI) will not replace workers but individuals knowledgeable of the technology will, Eugene Rex Jalao, an AI program coordinator at the University of Philippines (UP) said on Tuesday.

“AI will not replace ‘yung mga workers namin. It will make work more efficient. Mas maraming trabaho ang nagagawa nila compared sa walang AI,” Jalao told CNN Philippines’ Newsroom Ngayon.

Jalao also said people should know how to take advantage of the benefits of using AI.

“Yung upskilling ay para sa mga taong na kailangan gumamit ng AI. For example, how to use a chatbot para tama yung responses,” he said.

[Translation: Upskilling is needed for people who need to use AI. For example, how to use a chatbot in order to have the right responses.]

Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John Uy earlier said the agency is looking into requests to regulate the use of AI in the workplace.

READ: DICT chief backs calls for AI regulation in workplace 

“Sa sobrang bilis ng development ng technology, nahihirapan kami mag-catch up. It’s possible na masusurpass (ng AI ang human intelligence) pero the development of AI should be within ethical bounds,” Jalao said.

[Translation: With the fast-paced development of technology, we are finding it difficult to catch up. It is possible that AI will surpass human intelligence but the development of AI should be within ethical bounds.]

WATCH: Beyond the lead: The future of learning with Artificial Intelligence 

UP has drafted a guideline on “responsible” AI use in the academe. It also cited 10 proposed principles to be adopted by the university.

The principles emphasized the need for AI to be beneficial to Filipinos by “fostering inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, political empowerment and enhanced well-being.”

READ: UP drafting guidelines for ‘responsible’ AI use 

“Kailangan ng regulation, kailangan bantayan ‘yung meteoric rise ng technology na ito at protektahan ang humanity in general,” Jalao said.

[Translation: A regulation is needed to keep within bounds the meteoric rise of the technology and to protect humanity in general.]

Congress and the Palace were also urged to discuss the creation of an agency that will oversee the use of AI.

READ: Congress, Palace should tackle creation of agency overseeing AI use – lawmaker