Philippine lawmakers studying guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) on Wednesday began crafting policy responses to safeguard and strengthen the country’s Information Technology–Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry amid rapid digital transformation.
The Senate Committee on Science and Technology, chaired by Sen. Bam Aquino, opened discussions on Senate Resolution No. 253, which seeks an inquiry into the challenges facing the IT-BPM sector, state controlled Philippine News Agency further reported.
Aquino noted that the industry employs around 1.9 million Filipinos, contributes more than 8% to gross domestic product, and generates roughly $40 billion in export revenues.
“We want to scrutinize the policies, programs, and laws that support our IT-BPM industry in order to formulate appropriate bills,” Aquino said.
The resolution cited rising cybersecurity threats, including data breaches and cybercrimes, gaps in cyber defense systems, inconsistent implementation of security standards, limited cybersecurity expertise, and uncoordinated incident response that could undermine the country’s competitiveness.
Senators also discussed how automation and AI-driven tools are transforming certain service lines, reducing demand for some labor-intensive processes while increasing the need for higher-value skills.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said the technological shift carries consequences for workers and families.
She said the impact is being felt in BPOs, creative and administrative work, and even in professions once considered stable, as well as in schools where some lessons may become outdated before students graduate.
“We must ensure the Filipino worker is rebranded not as a replacement for a machine, but as its essential supervisor,” she said.
