Stratbase: PH should strengthen cybersecurity, AI governance

MANILA, Philippines — Think tank Stratbase Institute has urged the government to strengthen its cybersecurity amid cyberattacks, saying concerned agencies must coordinate to properly implement the country’s first artificial intelligence (AI) governance framework.

The Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DepDev) recently announced that it is eyeing to release the framework this September after presenting the final plan to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Stratbase also said the framework is a “timely and important step” that can provide government agencies “with a common direction for using AI while protecting rights, maintaining human oversight and ensuring accountability.”

READ: AI governance framework coming

“AI empowerment requires accurate and systematically organized government data, redesigned processes and public servants equipped to make faster, more informed decisions while remaining accountable,” Stratbase Institute President Dindo Manhit said.

While acknowledging the gains from digital systems, the group noted cyberattacks on several government agencies, calling for stricter and more advanced cybersecurity measures.

“As government connects more systems and uses more data, agencies must continually strengthen their defenses, test their incident-response plans and protect citizens’ information,” Manhit added.

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Manhit also said there must be strong coordination among DepDev, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, other agencies, and national governments to ensure that the AI governance framework protects data and sensitive information.

He also emphasized that partnerships among private and academic institutions are crucial to translating the framework’s promising results.

DepDev earlier said the framework would cover the use of AI tools in important sectors such as education, health, and public infrastructure. /mcm