SURIGAO Del Norte 2nd District Representative Robert Ace Barbers called on his fellow lawmakers to support his measure that seeks to create an agency that would deal with the use of artificial intelligence.

He said the agency should be tasked to craft and issue guidelines concerning the governance and ethics in the use, development and implementation of a national artificial intelligence strategy.

Barbers filed House Bill 7396, pushing for the establishment of a superbody to be known as the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority which will oversee the development and deployment of AI technologies, ensuring compliance with AI ethics, principles and guidelines, and protecting the rights and welfare of individuals and communities affected by AI technologies.

The lawmaker warned that the rapid phase of technological advancement in AI poses risks and challenges including the possibility of job displacement.

AI technology may be of great help during calamities such as typhoons, floods, earthquakes and fire but Barbers said the country must also be prepared for the possible hazards or dangers the AI technology may bring.

Earlier, the University of the Philippines released a draft set of 10 guiding principles on the responsible use of AI in response to the rapid development and adoption of the technology, especially in an academic environment.

The draft text outlines the UP Principles for Responsible Artificial Intelligence use and development in the university and for the public good.

It asked students, teachers and other members of the UP community to make suggestions to improve the draft.

Barbers said he received reports that the local Business Process Outsourcing industry, where there are more than 528,000 call center employees, as well other industries involving online marketing and search engine optimization, finance, health care organizations, transportation, retail, among others, may be affected by the entry and use of AI technology.