Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HoUSEBILLNo.      7913
Introduced  by:  Hon.  Keith  Micah  ``Atty.  Mike"  D.L.  Tan
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR A ROBUST, RELIABLE, AND
TRUSTWORTHY    DEVELOPIVIENT,    APPLICATION,    AND    USE    OF    ARTIFICAL
INTELLIGENCE    (Al)    SYSTEMS,    CREATING    THE    PHILIPPINE    COUNCIL    ON
ARTIFICIAL      INTELLIGENCE,      DELINEATING      THE      ROLES      OF      VARIOUS
GOVERNMENT  AGENCIES,  DEFINING  AND  PENALIZING  CERTAIN  PROHIBITED
ACTS
EXPLANATORY NOTE
\
`ln   a   controversial   move,   notable   personalities   including   Elon   Musk,   Steve
Wozniak, Tristan Harris, and leading Al researchers have signed an open letter that was
posted  online  on  29  March  2023  that  calls  on  ``all  AI  labs  to  immediately  pause  for  at
least 6 months the training of Al systems more powerful than GPT-4."
The letter says that:
"AI  systems  with  human-competitive  intelligence  can  pose  profound  risks  to  society
and  humanity,  as  shown  by  extensive  research  and  acknowledged  by  top  AI  labs.  As
stated  in  the  widely-endorsed  Asilomar  AI   Principles,  Advanced  Al   could   represent  a
profound  change  in the  history of life  on  Earth,  and  should  be  planned  for and  managed
with   commensurate   care   and   resources.    Unfortunately,   this   level   of   planning   and
management  is  not  happening,  even  though  recent  months  have  seen  Al  labs  locked  in
an out-of-control  race to develop and deploy ever more powerful digital  minds that no one
-not even their creators -can understand,  predict, or reliably control,
Contemporary  Al  systems  are  now  becoming  human-competitive  at  general  tasks,
and  we  must  ask  ourselves:  Should  we  let  machines flood  our information  channels with
propaganda  and  untruth?  Should  we  automate  away  all  the  jobs,  including  the  fulfilling
ones?  Should  we  develop  nonhuman  minds  that  might  eventually  outnumber,  outsmart,
obsolete and replace us? Should we risk loss of control of our civilization? Such decisions
must   not   be   delegated   to   unelected   tech   leaders.   Powerful   Al   systems   should   be
developed  only once we  are  confident that their effects will  be  positive  and  their risks will
be manageable. This confidence must be well justified and increase with the magnitude of
a   system's   potential   effects.   OpenAl's   recent   statement   regarding   artificial   general
intelligenge,  states  that  "At  some  point,  it  may  be  important  to  get  independent  review
before starting to train future systems,  and for the  most advanced  efforts to agree to  limit
the  rate  of  growt#of  compute  used  for  creating  new  models."  We  agree.  That  point  is
now.
Therefore,  we  call  on  all  Al   labs  to  immediately  pause  for  at  least  6  months  the
training  of  Al   systems  more   powerful  than  GPT-4.   This  pause  should   be   public  and
verifiable,   and   inglude   all   key   actors.   If   such   a   pause   cannot   be   enacted   quickly,
governments shoul\q steR\` in and institute a moratorium.
J
AI   labs   and  'independent   experts   should   use   this   pause   to  jointly   develop   and
implement a set of shared  safety protocols for advanced Al  design  and  development that
are  rigorously  audited  and  overseen  by  independent  outside  experts.  These  protocols


should  ensure that  systems  adhering  to them  are  safe  beyond  a  reasonable  doubt.  This
does  not  mean  a  pause  on Al  development  in  general,  merely  a  stepping  back from  the
dangerous race to ever-larger unpredictable black-box models with emergent capabilities.
Al  research and development should be refocused on making today's powerful, state-
of-the-art   systems   more   accurate,   safe,    interpretable,   transparent,   robust,   aligned,
trustworthy,  and loyal.
In   parallel,  Al   developers  must  work  with   policymakers  to  dramatically  accelerate
development of robust Al  governance systems.  These should  at a  minimum  include:  new
and   capable   regulatory   authorities   dedicated   to   Al;   oversight   and   tracking   of   highly
capable   AI   systems   and   large   pools   of   computational   capability;    provenance   and
watermarking  systems to  help distinguish  real from  synthetic and to track  model  leaks;  a
robust  auditing   and  certification  ecosystem;   liability  for  Al-caused   harm;   robust  public
fundjng for technical Al  safety research;  and well-resourced  institutions for coping with the
dramatic economic and political disruptions (especially to democracy) that Al will cause.
Humanity   can   enjoy   a   flourishing   future   with   Al.   Having   succeeded   in   creating
powerful  Al  systems,  we  can  now enjoy  an  "Al  summer"  in  which  we  reap  the  rewards,
engineer these  systems  for the  clear  benefit  of all,  and  give  society  a  chance  to  adapt.
Society   has   hit   pause   on   other  technologies  with   potentially   catastrophic   effects   on
society.  We  can  do  so  here.  Let's  enjoy  a  long  Al  summer,  not  rush  unprepared  into  a
fall.„`
The letter received numerous reactions and criticisms including one from a group
of well-known Al ethicists who have written a counterpoint to the letter.
On   31    March   2023,   Timnit   Gebru   (DAIR),    Emily   M.    Bender   (University   of
Washington),    Angelina    MCMillan-Major   (University   of   Washington),    and    Margaret
Mitchell  (Hugging  Face) wrote:
"The harms from so-called Al  are real and  present and follow from the acts of people
and   corporations   deploying   automated   systems.   Regulatory   efforts   should   focus   on
transparency,  accountability and preventing exploitative labor practices.
On  Tuesday  March  28,  the  Future  of Life  Institute  published  a  letter asking  for a  six-
month  minimum  moratorium  on  "training  Al  systems  more  powerful  than  GPT-4,"  signed
by more than 2,000 people,  including Turing  award winner Yoshua  Bengio and one of the
world's richest men,  Elon  Musk.
While  there  are  a  number of  recommendations  in  the  letter that we  agree with  (and
proposed  in  our  2021   peer-reviewed  paper  known  informally  as  "Stochastic  Parrots"),
such  as  "provenance  and  watermarking  systems  to  help  distinguish  real  from  synthetic"
media,   these   are   overshadowed   by   fearmongering   and   AI   hype,   which   steers   the
discourse   to   the   risks   of   imagined   "powerful   digital   minds"   with   "human-competitive
intelligence."   Those   hypothetical   risks   are   the   focus   of  a   dangerous   ideology   called
longtermism  that  ignores  the  actual  harms  resulting  from  the  deployment  of Al  systems
today.  The  letter addresses  none  of the  ongoing  harms from  these  systems,  including
worker  exploitation  and  massive  data  theft  to  create  products  that  profit  a  handful
entities,  2) the explosion  of synthetic media  in the world,  which  both  reproduces systems
of  oppression  and  endangers  our  information  ecosystem,  and  3)  the  concentration  of
power in the hands of a few people which exacerbates social inequities.
While we  are  not  surprised  to  see  this  type  of letter from  a  longtermist  organization
like  the  Future  of  Life  Institute,  which  is  generally  aligned  with  a  vision  of  the  future  in
which we  become  radically enhanced  posthumans,  colonize space,  and  create trillions of
digital  people,  we  are dismayed to see the  number of computing  professionals who  have
signed  this  letter,  and  the  positive  media  coverage  it  has  received.   It  is  dangerous  to
distract  ourselves  with   a  fantasized  Al-enabled   utopia  or  apocalypse  which   promises
t  https://futureoflife.orq/open-letter/pause-Giant-ai-experiments/ (Accessed on 04 April 2023)


either a "flourishing" or "potentially catastrophic" future [1].  Such  language that inflates the
capabilities of automated systems and anthropomorphizes them,  as we note in Stochastic
Parrots,  deceives  people  into  thinking  that there  is  a  sentient  being  behind  the  synthetic
media.  This  not  only  lures  people  into  uncritically  trusting  the  outputs  of  systems  like
ChatGPT,  but also  misattributes  agency.  Accountability  properly  lies  not with the  artifacts
but with their builders.
What we  need  is  regulation that enforces transparency.  Not only should  it always  be
clear   when   we   are   encountering   synthetic   media,   but   organizations   building   these
systems  should  also  be  required  to  document  and  disclose  the  training  data  and  model
architectures. The onus of creating tools that are safe to use should  be on the companies
that  build  and  deploy  generative  systems,  which  means  that  builders  of these  systems
should  be  made  accountable for the outputs  produced  by their products.  While we agree
that "such  decisions  must  not be delegated to  unelected tech  leaders," we  also  note that
such decisions should  not be up to the academics experiencing  an  "AI  summer," who are
largely  financially  beholden  to  Silicon  Valley.  Those  most  impacted  by  Al  systems,  the
immigrants  subjected  to  "digital  border walls,"  the  women  being  forced  to  wear  specific
clothing, the workers experiencing  PTSD while filtering outputs of generative systems, the
artists  seeing their work stolen for corporate  profit,  and  the gig  workers struggling  to  pay
their bills should  have a say in this conversation.
Contrary to the  letter's  narrative that we  must "adapt" to a seemingly pre-determined
technological   future   and   cope   "with   the   dramatic   economic   and   political   disruptions
(especially to democracy) that Al will  cause," we do  not agree that our role  is to adjust to
the  priorities  of a few  privileged  individuals  and  what they decide to  build  and  proliferate.
We  should  be  building  machines  that  work  for  us,  instead  of  "adapting"  society  to  be
machine  readable  and writable.  The  current  race towards  ever larger "AI  experiments"  is
not  a  preordained  path  where  our  only  choice  is  how  fast  to  run,  but  rather  a  set  of
decisions  driven  by  the  profit  motive.  The  actions  and  choices  of  corporations  must  be
shaped by regulation which protects the rights and interests of people.
It   is   indeed  time  to   act:   but  the  focus   of  our  concern   should   not   be   imaginary
"powerful  digital  minds."   Instead,  we  should  focus  on  the  very  real  and  very  present
exploitative practices of the companies claiming to build them,  who are rapidly centralizing
Power and  increasing  social  inequities."2
It is in the context of these grand narratives that this measure is being filed, along
with  the  findings  of  the  National  Artificial  Intelligence  Strategy  of  the  Philippines  that
calls for "a clear legal  and  regulatory framework for Al" to "protect the  rights of Filipinos
and spur responsible adoption of and  innovations in Al."
Thus,  the  bill  seeks to establish  a  regulatory framework that  is guided  by value-
based  principles with the end view of making Al solutions human-centered.
Towards   this   end,    it   aims   to   establish   the   Philippine   Council   on   Artificial
Intelligence  -  a  policy-making  and  advisory  body  of  experts  under the  Department  of
Science and Technology (DOST). Among others,  its functions include the conduct of an
evaluation   on  the   impact  of  Al   systems  and   development  of  Al   economies   in  the
country;   review  existing   policies   on   Al;   and   the   determination   of  the   structures   or
parameters under which Al systems may operate in the country.
To   serve   as   regulatory   and   supervisory   authority   over   the   development,
application, and  use of Al systems, the Artificial  Intelligence Board shall also be created.
The  bill  penalizes the  development,  application,  and  use  of Al  systems that are
harmful  and  discriminatory  including  lethal  autonomous  weapon  systems  (LAWS)  or
slaughterbots,   commonly  known  as  "killer  robots",  that  have  become  an   immediate
cause of humanitarian concern.
2 https://www.dair-institute.ora/bloa/letter-statement-March2023 (Accessed on 04 April 2023)


Moreover,  this  measure  provides a  bill  of rights to  protect every  Filipino from the
impact  of  Al.  Although  Al  has  brought  about  extraordinary  benefits  to  humanity,  the
great challenges that it poses to democracy today can no longer be denied and that the
use  of  technology,  data,  and  automated  systems  have  the  potential  to  threaten  the
fundamental rights of every Filipino.
In  view  of  the  foregoing   and  consistent  with  the  legislative  overtones  of  the
National  Artificial  Intelligence  Strategy  for  the  Philippines,  immediate  consideration  of
this important piece of legislation  is earnestly sought.
zC-
Keith
icah „Atty.?4#isD.L. Tan
4th  District,  Quezon


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO.
7913
Introduced  by:  Hon.  Keith  Micah "Atty.  Mike" D.L. Tan
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR A ROBUST, RELIABLE, AND
TRUSTWORTHY    DEVELOPMENT,    APPLICATION,    AND    USE    OF    ARTIFICAL
INTELLIGENCE    (Al)    SYSTEMS,    CREATING    THE    PHILIPPINE    COUNCIL    ON
ARTIFICIAL      INTELLIGENCE,      DELINEATING      THE      ROLES      OF      VARIOUS
GOVERNMENT  AGENCIES,  DEFINING  AND  PENALIZING  CERTAIN  PROHIBITED
ACTS
Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  the  House  of  Representatives  of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
CHAPTER I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
SECTION  1.  Short  Ttt/e.  -This Act  shall  be  known  as  the  ``Artificial  Intelligence
(Al)  Regulation Act".
SEC.   2.   Dec/arafi.on   of  Po//.cy.   -   The   State   recognizes   that   science   and
technology  are  essential  for  national  development  and  progress.  It  shall  support their
application   to  the   country's   productive   systems   and   national   life   and   regulate  the
transfer and  promote the adaptation  of technology from  all sources for national  benefit.
Towards  this  end,  the  State  shall  pursue  the  development  of artificial  intelligence  (Al),
including    digitization    and     infrastructure,    workforce    development,     research    and
development,  and  regulation with the end view of harnessing Al's potentials to  uplift the
lives of Filipinos,  local industries, and the economy.
SEC.  3.  Def/.n/.f/-on of Terms.  -For purposes of this Act,  the following terms shall
be defined as stated below:
(a) A/gor7.fhm  refers to a  process  or set of rules to  be followed  in  calculations  or
other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer;
(b) A/gorr.fhm/.c cfec/.s/.ons refer to the analysis  of large  amounts of personal  data
to  infer  correlations  or,  more  generally,  to  derive  information  deemed  useful  to  make
decisions;
(c) Arfi.rr.ct.a/ i.nfe//t.gence refers to the simulation of human  intelligence in  machines
that are programmed to think like humans and  mimic their actions.;
(d)  Arfi.rr.ct.a/ ;.nfe//j.gence  eco-system  refers  to  a  group  of Al  systems  which  are
coupled together to some extent to achieve a common goal. The most common goal of
establishing   an   Al   ecosystem   is   automation   via   applied   machine   learning.   This   is
generally   achieved   by   putting   Al   systems   in   both   real-time   as   well   as   historical
scenarios and generating  intelligence out of it;
(e)   Artificial   Intelligence   system   rofers   to   a   computer   system   or   software


application  that  utilizes  Al  technologies  and  techniques  to  perform  a  task  or  make  a
decision  such  as  machine  learning,  deep  learning,  natural  language  processing,  and
robotics;
(f)  AL/gmenfaf/.on   refers  to  the   process   of  allowing   human   collaboration   with
machines to perform a task;
(g) Aufomatec/ dect.si.on refers to the process of making a decision by automated
means without any human involvement;
(h) Automafi.on  refers to the  creation  and  application  of technologies to  produce
and deliver goods and services with minimal human intervention;
(i)  /nnovaf/.on refers to the creation  of new ideas that results  in the development
of new or improved  policies,  products,  processes,  or services which are then spread or
transferred across the market;
¢)  Letha/  aufonomous  weapons  systems  /LAWS/  refer  to  weapons  that  use
artificial    intelligence    to    identify,    select,    and    kill    human    targets    without    human
intervention;
/k/  Regu/afory sandbox refers to a  regulatory approach, typically summarized  in
writing   and   published,   that   allows   live,   time-bound   testing   of   innovations   under   a
regulator's oversight;  and
(I)  Soc/.a/ scoring refers to the act of rating a person's level of influence based on
evaluating one's followers, friends,  and  postings on social networks such as Twitter and
Facebook.
CHAPTER  11
GUIDING  PRINCIPLES
SEC.    4.    Prt.nc7.p/es.    -   The   development,    application,    and    use   of   artificial
intelligence (Al) systems shall be guided by the following principles:
(a)  Inclusive growth,  sustainable development,  and well-being. -Constisterit w.ith
the provisions of Republic Act No.11293,  otherwise known as the "Philippine Innovation
Act"   and   other   existing   laws,   the   development,   application,   and   use   of  Al   must
contribute to the developmental goals of the country;
(b)  Human-centered  va/ues  ar}d fa/.mess.  - Al  systems  must treat  people  with
dignity and  respect;
(c)  Robusfr}ess,  secur/.fy and safety.  -Al  must be  reliable  and  safe and  ensure
that the public is protected from errors in processing and outcomes;
(d)   Accounfab/./i.fy.   -  Al   system   must   provide   disclosure   of   information   that
enables  monitoring,  checking  or  criticism  and  allow  automation  auditing  to  ensure that
entities deploying Al technologies are accountable for their consequences;
(e)  Transparency and Exp/ainab/.//ty.  -  Policies,  rules  and  regulations  governing
Al   systems   must   be   understandable   and   ensure   that   automated   and   algorjthmic
decisions  and  any  associated  data  driving  those  decisions  can  be  explained  to  end-
users and stakeholders in non-technical terms; and
(f)   77tjsf.   -  Al   systems   must   be  transparent;   accurate   and   reliable;   provide
augmentation; and protect privacy.


CHAPTER  Ill
AI  BILL OF  RIGHTS
SEC.  5.  Bi.//  of R/.ghfs.  -  The  development,  application,  and  use  of Al  systems
shall  be guided  by the following  rights of every Filipino:
(a)  Right to  Protection  from  Unsafe  and  Ineffective  AI  Systems.  - The  r.ighi Of
every  people to  be  protected  from  harmful Al  systems  shall  be  inviolable.  Al  systems,
tools,  and technologies shall  be developed with consultation from diverse communities,
stakeholders,  and  domain  experts  to  identify  concerns,  risks,  and  potential  impacts  of
the   system.   Systems   shall   undergo   pre-deployment  testing,   risk   identification   and
mitigation,  and  ongoing  monitoring that demonstrate they are safe and  effective  based
on   their   intended   use,   mitigation   of  unsafe   outcomes   including   those   beyond   the
intended use, and adherence to domain-specific standards.
(b)  Right Against AIgorithmic  Discrimination.  -  No  person  shall be d.iscr.im.inated
by algorithms and Al  systems on the basis of ethnicity,  sex,  related  medical conditions,
gender identity,  religion,  age,  national origin,  disability,  genetic information,  or any other
classification  protected  by  law.   Designers,  developers,  and  deployers  of  Al  systems
shall  take  proactive  and  continuous  measures  to  protect  individuals  and  communities
from   algorithmic  discrimination   and   shall   use   and   design   systems   in   an   equitable
manner.
To  protect  equal  rights,   proactive  equity  assessments  as  part  of  the  system
design,   use  of  representative  data  and   protection  against  proxies  for  demographic
features,  ensuring  accessibility  for  people  with  disabilities  in  design  and  development,
pre-deployment  and  ongoing  disparity  testing  and  mitigation,  and  clear  organizational
oversight shall  be instituted.  Independent evaluation  and  plain  language reporting  in the
form   of   an   algorithmic   impact   assessment,   including   disparity   testing   results   and
mitigation  information shall be performed and  made public whenever possible to confirm
these protections.
(c)  Rt.ghf fo Prt.vacy.  -  Every people shall  be  protected from  violations  of privacy
through  design  choices  that  ensure  such  protections  are  included   by  default.   Data
collection that conforms to reasonable expectations and that only data strictly necessary
for  the   specific  context   is   collected   shall   be   ensured.   Designers,   developers,   and
deployers  of  Al  systems  shall  seek  permission  and   respect  the  decisions  of  every
person regarding collection, use, access, transfer, and deletion data in appropriate ways
and  to  the  greatest  extent  possible.  Alternative  privacy  by  design  safeguards  shall  be
used  whenever  applicable.   Systems  shall   not  employ  user  experience  and   design
decisions  that  obfuscate  user  choice  or  burden  users  with  defaults  that  are  privacy
invasive. Consent shall only be used to justify collection of data in cases where it can be
appropriately and meaningfully given.
(c)  R/.ghf  fo  Know.  -  Designers,  developers,  and  deployers  of Al  systems  shall
provide generally accessible  plain  language documentation  including  clear descriptions
of  the  overall  system  functioning  and  the  role  automation  plays  including  notice  that
such  systems are  in  use,  the  individual  or organization  responsible for the system,  and
explanations  of  outcomes  that  are  clear,  timely,  and  accessible.  Such  notice  shall  be
kept  up-to-date  and  people  impacted  by the  system  shall  be  notified  of significant  use
case or key functionality changes.
(d) Rr.ghf fo Remec/y.  -Every people shall  be given an opportunity to opt out from
Al  systems in favor of a  human  alternative,  where appropriate.  They shall  have access
to timely human  consideration  and  remedy through  a fallback and escalation  process  if
an  automated  system  fails  or  produces  an  error.  The  right  to  appeal  or  contest  Al's
impacts on every person shall not be denied.  Human consideration and fallback shall at


all   times   be   accessible,   equitable,   effective,   maintained   and   shall   not   impose   an
unreasonable burden to the public.
CHAPTER IV
PHILIPPINE COUNCIL ON ARTIFICIAL  INTELLIGENCE
SEC.  6.  Creation  of  the  Philippine  Council  on  Artificial  Intelligence.  -There  .is
hereby established a policy-making and advisory body of experts under the Department
of Science  and  Technology  (DOST)  to  be  known  as  the  Philippine  Council  on  Artificial
Intelligence (PCAl),  herein after referred to as the Council.
The  core  committee,  which  shall  elect from  among  themselves  its  Chairperson,
shall be composed of an Al  researcher;  robotics specialist; a machine learning expert; a
data science specialist;  a technology expert;  an  ethicist;  a sociologist or anthropologist;
a psychologist;  a public health expert; a security analyst;  a legal scholar;  a human  rights
advocate;  a  citizens'  representative;  and  such  other experts  that the  President  of the
Philippines may appoint.
The committee shall  create subcommittees  or technical working  groups  (ll/\/Gs)
as maybe necessary for the effective and efficient performance of its powers and duties
as the public interest may require.
The  Council  shall  engage  Al  expertise  and  may  call  upon  technical  resource
persons   from   the   agencies   of   government,   the   private   sector,   and   civil   society
organizations.
It  may  call  upon  any  official,  agent,  employee,  agency  or  instrumentality  of the
government for any assistance that they may deem necessary to carry out the purposes
of this Act and said agency or instrumentality of the government shall, with the approval
of  the  President,  assign  the  official,  agent,  or  employee  and  provide  the  assistance
requested by the Council.
The Council's core committee members shall be appointed by the President for a
term   of  three   (3)  years  except  for  the  Al   researcher,   robotics  specialist,   machine
learning expert,  data science specialist,  technology expert,  and ethicist who shall serve
for a term  of four (4) years:  Provided,  That no  member shall  serve for more than three
(3)  consecutive terms:  Provided, further,  That the members of the Council shall  receive
an   honorarium  in  accordance  with  existing   policies:   Provided,  furthermore,  That  the
DOST shall promulgate the nomination process for all Council members with a clear set
of qualifications, credentials and recommendations from the sectors concerned.
SEC.  7.  Powers  ant/ Funcfi.ons.  -The  Council  shall  have  the  following  powers
and functions:
(a)  Conduct an evaluation  on the  impact of artificial  intelligence (Al) systems and
development of AI economies in the country;
(b)  Review existing  policies on Al;
(c) Determine the structures or parameters under which Al systems may operate;
(d)  Develop  and  promulgate  a  governance  framework  based  on  fundamental
guiding principles on the development, application, and  use of Al;
(e)   Establish   a   code   of  ethics  for  Al   developers  for  a   progressive   industry
regulation;


(f)  Promulgate rules to prevent abusive and harmful applications of Al;
(g) Prepare mitigation measures against the potential consequences and impacts
of algorithms to processes and business models;
(h)  Formulate  guidelines  to  prohibit  and  penalize  indiscriminate  and  non-rights-
respecting  applications  of Al  and  safeguard  the  health,  safety,  security,  environmental,
and quality standards for the development, application, and use of Al technologies;
(i) Promote the responsible development, application, and use of Al;
0)   Provide  timely  and  comprehensive  information  to  the  public  in  addressing
emerging  issues on Al;
(k)   Build  Al   ecosystem  conscience  by  strengthening   intellectual  property  and
data protection measures;
(I)  ln consultation with the affected sectors, establish an Al  risk reduction plan;
(in)  Together with  the  Commission  on  Higher Education  (CHED),  Department of
Education  (DepEd),  Technical  Education  and  Skills  Development  Authority  (TESDA)
and  other education  stakeholders,  take the  appropriate  steps to  revitalize the teaching
of   humanities   in   state   universities   and   colleges   (SUCs),   private   higher   education
institutions  (HEls),  technical  vocational  institutions,  and  all  elementary  and  secondary
education institutions,  including alternative learning systems,  both public and private;
(n) Provide effective measures to counter harmful Als;
(o)   Provide   programmatic   direction   in   the   deployment   of  Al   in   government
agencies' programs and projects;
(p)  Ensure an efficient balance in the regulation of Al and consumer protection to
facilitate   the   growth   of   emerging   business   models   brought   about   by   Al   utilizing
regulatory  sandbox  approach  to  reduce  the  cost  of  innovation  and  barriers  to  entry,
including the collection of data and  information  regarding appropriate regulatory action;
(q)  Device  appropriate  mechanisms  to  protect  workers  and  professionals  from
potential job losses brought about by automation and Al;
(r)  Guided  by the  legal  mandates of the agencies and  LGUs  concerned,  identify
and  task  government  agencies  and   LGUs  that  will  be  tasked  to  implement  specific
functions to implement the provisions of this Act;
(s)  Recommend  to  the  President  of the  Philippines  and  the  Congress  all  policy
matters regarding Al;
(t) Submit to the President of the Philippines, the President of the Senate and the
Speaker   of   the   House   of   Representatives,    annual   and   special   reports   on   the
implementation of this Act; and
(u)  Exercise all  powers and functions  necessary for the objectives and  purposes
of this Act.
SEC  8.  Secrefarr.af to  the  Cour}c/./.  -  The  Philippine  Council  for  Industry,  Energy
and  Emerging  Technology  Research  and  Development  (PCIEERD)  under  the  DOST
shall provide Secretariat support to the Council.


The initial staffing structure and complement of the Secretariat shall be submitted
by  the   DOST  to  the   Department  of   Budget  and   Management   (DBM)   for  funding.
Pending the creation  of the appropriate  plantilla  positions,  the  DOST shall  constitute an
interim  Secretariat  within  one  (1)  month  from  the  effectivity  of  this  Act,  through  the
temporary detail of its personnel.
CHAPTER V
AI  BOARD
SEC. 9.  Creation of the Artificial  Intelligence Board. -To carry out the prow.is.ions
of this Act,  an agency shall  be created to be called the Artificial  Intelligence  Board  (AIB)
and   shall   be   composed   of  the   Secretary  of  Science   and   Technology   (DOST)   as
chairman,   the   Secretary   of   the   Department   of   Information   and   Communications
Technology  (DICT),  the  Secretary  of the  Department  of Trade  and  Industry  (DTl),  the
Director General of the Intellectual  Property Office of the Philippines (lpopHIL),  and the
Commissioner of the  National  Privacy  Commission  (NPC),  as  members.  The AIB  shall
act unanimously in the discharge of its functions as defined hereunder:
(a)   to   exercise   regulatory   and   supervisory   authority   over  the   development,
application, and use of Al systems;
(b)   to  investigate motu  proprio or upon  report of any person,  impose and  collect
fines  and  penalties,  initiate  and  resolve  the  necessary  administrative  action,  or  initiate
the necessary criminal case against the responsible persons for any violation of this Act;
(c) to  issue subpoena and  subpoena  drrces fect7m  in  relation to  its  investigation
provided that the subpoena shall state the nature and purpose of the investigation, shall
be directed to the person whose attendance is required,  and  in the case of a subpoena
duces  tecum,  it  shall  contain  a  reasonable  description  of books,  documents,  or things
demanded which must be relevant to the investigation;
(d)  to  exercise  visitorial  powers  by  itself or  in  coordination  with  other competent
agencies  of the  government  to  ensure  the  effective  implementation  of this  Act,  which
shall  include  the  power  to  scrutinize  the  records  of  Al  companies  and   laboratories,
except   trade   secrets   and   proprietary   information,   and   to   inspect   their   premises.
Provided,  That trade  secrets  and  proprietary  information  shall  be  defined  in  this  Act's
implementing rules and  regulations;
(e)   to   appoint  automation   auditors  with  the   power  to   probe   and   review  the
behavior of the algorithm;
(f)   to require AI  companies and  laboratories to submit written or electronic forms
or reports as it may deem necessary and reasonable;
(g) to create,  maintain,  and  regularly update a central database of AI  companies
and  laboratories;
(h) to conduct a  nationwide  information  campaign with the  Philippine  Information
Agency  (PIA)  that  shall  inform  the  public  on  the  responsible  development,  application,
and use of Al systems to enhance awareness among end-consumers;
(i)  to  enlist the  assistance  of any  branch,  department,  bureau,  office,  agency or
instrumentality    of   the    government,    including    government-owned    and    -controlled
corporations,  in  undertaking  any  and  all  operations,  which  may  include  the  use  of  its
personnel,   facilities  and   resources  for  the   more   resolute  prevention,   detection   and
investigation of offenses and prosecution of offenders; and


0) to implement such measures as may be necessary and justified under this Act;
SEC.10.  Creaf/.or} of a Secrefar/.af.  -The AIB is hereby authorized to establish a
secretariat  to  be  headed   by  an   Executive  Director  who  shall  be  appointed   by  the
Council for a term of five (5) years.  He or she must be a member of the Philippine  Bar,
at   least  thirty-five   (35)  years   of  age  and   of  good   moral   character,   unquestionable
integrity  and  known  probity.  All  members  of the  Secretariat  must  have  served  for  at
least five  (5)  years  in  any of the  member agencies  and  shall  hold  full-time  permanent
positions within the said agencies.
CHAPTER VI
ROLE OF GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
SEC.11.   Who/e  of  Govemmenf  Approach.   -ln  order  to  effectively  regulate
and/or mitigate the risks and harness the potentials of Al across all areas of government
policy-spanning   health,   infrastructure,   education,   training,   energy,   communication,
industry,  science  and  technology,  defense,  among  others  -  a  "whole  of  government
approach"  shall  be  adopted.  This  approach  shall  facilitate  engagement with  business,
the  research  development  and  extension  (RD&E)  sector,  and  the  broader  community
towards ensuring the full and effective implementation of this Act.
All government agencies concerned,  including the following,  shall  be  responsible
for implementing the country's  policies on Al  and,  as such,  shall  observe the "whole of
government approach" provided herein:
(a) Department of Science and Technology (DOST);
(b)  Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT);
(c)  Department of Trade and  Industry (DTl);
(d) Department of Agriculture (DA);
(e) Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR);
(f) Department of Health (DOH);
(g)  Department of Energy (DOE);
(h)  Department of Transportation (DOTr);
(i) Department of National  Defense (DND);
0) Department of the Interior and  Local Government (DILG);
(k) Department of Education (DepEd);
(I) Commission on  Higher Education  (CHED);
(in) Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA);
(n) Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE); and
(o) Commission on  Human Rights (CHR).
Government agencies shall  make available for public access,  a joint web  portal,
that will bear information pertinent to Al  regulations.


Government   agencies   shall   submit   periodic   reports   to   the   Council   on   their
respective  implementation  of  this  Act.  Reporting  guidelines  shall  be  prepared  by  the
Council for this purpose.
The   enumeration   of  agencies   provided   herein   is   without   prejudice   to   other
agencies that the Council may mandate.
CHAPTER Vl I
MONITORING AND  ENFORCEMENT MECHANISMS
SEC  12.  Raporfs  arid D/.sc/osures  fo  the A/B.  -ln  requiring  Al  companies  and
laboratories to submit written or electronic forms or reports pursuant to Section 8 of this
Act,  the  AIB  shall  be  prohibited  from  sharing,  disclosing,  or  making  available  to  the
public and  other Al  entity any information,  document,  plan,  and  report constituting trade
secrets,   proprietary   data,   and   other   legitimate   commercial   information   which   are
confidential or privileged  in  nature.
SEC.  13.  Cenfra/ Dafabase of A/ /r}c/ustry. -The central database, which shall be
open to the public, created by the AIB pursuant to Section 8 of this Act shall be updated
on a monthly basis.  It shall  include the following  information:
(a) Corporate, business, or trade name of the Al  industry participant;
(b) Registered trademark or trade name or logo of Al company or laboratory;
(c) Violations committed and  incidents relating to such violations;  and
(f)  Other  relevant  information  as  may  be  determined  by  the  Council:  Provided,
That  it  shall  not  include  trade  secrets  and  other  proprietary  information  as  may  be
determined  in this Act's implementing rules and  regulations.
For this  purpose,  the AIB  shall  coordinate with  the  Intellectual  Property  Office  of
the Philippines (lpopHL) for the accurate reporting of trademarks and tradenames of AI
companies or laboratories.
CHAPTER Vlll
PROHIBITED ACTS AND PENALTIES
SEC  14. Proht.bf.fed Use of A/ System. -lt shall be unlawlul for any person to use
Al   system   that   shall   cause   unnecessary,   unjustifiable   and   indiscriminate   moral   or
pecuniary  damage  to   individuals.   The   use   of  lethal   autonomous  weapon   systems
(LAWS) is hereby prohibited.
The development,  application,  and  use of Al to manipulate,  exploit or control any
person  beyond  his  or  her  consciousness  to  materially  distort  his  or  her  behavior  in  a
manner that  is  likely to  cause  him  or  her  or  another  person  physical  or  psychological
harm  is prohibited.
Al  based  social  scoring  of natural  persons and  practices that undermine  privacy
rights shall also be prohibited.
SEC  15.  Pena/I/.es. -Any person who willfully or knowingly does or who shall aid,
permit,  or  cause  to  be  done  any  of the  acts  declared  to  be  unlawful  in  the  preceding
section,  or  aids,  permits,  or  causes  such  violation  shall,  upon  conviction  thereof,  be
punished  by imprisonment for not less than six months or more than six years and with
the  accessory  penalty  of  perpetual  absolute  disqualification  from  public  office  if  the


offender  be  a  public  official  at  the  time  of the  commission  of the  offense,  and,  if the
offender is an alien he shall be subject to deportation proceedings.
SEC.   16.   Vt.o/af/.ons  by  Jury.c//.ca/  Er}f/.I/.es.  -lf  the  violation   is  committed   by  a
corporation,     partnership,     association,     or    other    juridical    entity,    the    penalty    of
imprisonment shall  be  imposed  on the  responsible directors or officers thereof,  and the
lack of corporate personality cannot be raised as a defense in case the juridical entity is
unregistered.
CHAPTER IX
FINAL PROVISIONS
SEC.17. Apprapr/.af/.ons. -The amounts necessary for the implementation of this
Act shall be included  in the annual General Appropriations Act.
SE.C.    18.    Implementing    Rules   and    Regulations.   -   The   DOST,   shall,   tjin
consultation with the concerned government agencies and stakeholders, promulgate the
implementing  rules and  regulations of this Act within  ninety (90) days from  its effectivity.
All guidelines,  regulations,  and other issuances mandated to be promulgated  in this Act
shall  be  issued  within  sixty  (60)  days  from  the  promulgation  of this Act's  implementing
rules and  regulations.
SEC.  19.  Consfmcf/.on and /nfexprefaf/.on. -Any doubt in the interpretation of any
provision  in this Act shall be interpreted  in favor of the interest of the general public.
SEC  20.   Separabt./i.fy  C/ause.  -  If,  for  any  reason,   any  chapter,   section,   or
provision  of this Act shall  be declared  unconstitutional,  illegal,  or invalid,  such  parts  not
affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.
SEC.     21.     Rapea//.ng    C/ause.     -    All     laws,     decrees,     executive    orders,
proclamations,  and administrative regulations,  or parts thereof inconsistent herewith are
hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
SEC.   22.   Effecf/.v/.fy.   -   This   Act   shall   take   effect   fifteen   (15)   days   after   its
publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation.
Approved,