President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. signed Executive Order No. 131, which aims to adopt an artificial intelligence (AI) governance framework and create the National Artificial Intelligence Council (NAIC) on Thursday, Nov. 12.
The framework will help guide agencies on how to develop AI policies, regulatory coordination and build the capacity for AI governance. It consists of four elements: Ethics and Principles, Standards and Assurance, Risk-based Policy Toolkit and Enabling Resources.
“There is a need to establish a mechanism for coordinated action that will accelerate the implementation of the AI Governance Framework,” the order reads.
The NAIC will coordinate, facilitate and monitor the implementation of each framework and report it directly to the president. The executive secretary will chair the council alongside the secretary of economy, planning, and development as vice chair. Members include the education and labor secretaries and the chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education.
Apart from overseeing AI frameworks, the council will also recommend measures to safeguard the rights and welfare of workers and learners affected by AI-driven transition. Its Technical Working Group on Capabilities will also create plans for AI and digital literacy, workforce training and scholarships for AI research, development and use.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology will establish a digital monitoring and reporting platform for quarterly agency updates. The council must submit a progress report to the President within 30 days from the end of each quarter.
