Joint Recommendation: Open Comment on University of the Philippines’ Principles for Responsible AI

Abstract

In July 2023, the University of the Philippines System announced an open comment on the policy on Artificial Intelligence that is under consideration. The Ambit and The Ambit Philippine Council, together with its joint partners in this recommendation, welcome the open comment to the Principles for Responsible Artificial Intelligence (‘UP AI Principles’) and are looking forward to meaningful consideration of the insights we will provide.

The Ambit is a global civic and social organization converging the Majority World nations (the Global South) at the center of ethical AI governance. Its founding chapter, The Ambit Philippines, aims to pioneer this initiative by empowering nations with shared development goals, long history as present and former colonies, as well as concentration of disenfranchised populations and marginalized groups - through partnerships, education, and policy advocacy.

By integrating input from the Philippines and allies across the Majority World, The Ambit works to build governance protecting the world's most vulnerable from harm. Our vision is a future shaped by AI that honors and upholds human dignity.

We applaud the University of the Philippines for initiating its open comment on principles for
responsible AI. Not only is this the first meaningful process for public participation in AI for the country, but this initiative is also exemplary among higher education institutions across Southeast Asia. The ‘UP AI Principles’ is a values-based approach consisting of 10 principles, namely: (1) public good, (2) everyone should benefit, (3) meaningful human control, (4) transparency, (5) fairness, (6) safety, (7) environment friendly, (8) collaboration, (9) accountability, and (10) governance.

In this joint recommendation, we would like to provide comments in five segments:
1. General comments on UP AI Principles
2. Specific modifications on UP AI Principles
3. Recommended action steps beyond UP AI Principles in the Philippines
4. On Education and Research
5. Annex

Keywords: AI, AI Governance, Responsible AI, Global South, Majority World, Philippines, University, Higher Education

JEL Classification: I23, O21, O32, O35, O50, O53,