Philippine government agencies whose mandates are related to artificial intelligence (AI) are now embarking on a strategic initiative to enhance artificial intelligence (AI) governance and ethics in collaboration with The Alan Turing Institute (ATI) and the Embassy of the United Kingdom in the Philippines. This landmark technical assistance project, running from February 18-21, 2025, aims to fortify the country’s regulatory and policy frameworks in AI by equipping government leaders, academics, and industry stakeholders with global best practices and expert guidance.
The AI Ethics and Governance in Practice Programme, developed by The Alan Turing Institute is a capacity-building initiative tailored to address the specific needs of senior policy makers and regulators in the Philippines, which includes the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Science and Technology (DOST), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and other government agencies together with leaders from the industry and tha academia.
The four-day training workshop in Manila will focus on enhancing AI literacy and readiness among policymakers, regulators, and industry players, equipping them with the philosophical, theoretical, and practical knowledge required to understand, regulate, and shape responsible AI ecosystems.
The Alan Turing Institute, based at the British Library in London, was established in 2015 as the UK’s national institute for data science and AUI. In 2017, following a government recommendation, its scope was expanded to include artificial intelligence. Named in honor of Alan Turing, the Institute recognizes his groundbreaking contributions to mathematics, engineering, and computing—key disciplines underpinning data science and AI.
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The Institute was founded in 2015 by five universities—Cambridge, Edinburgh, Oxford, UCL, and Warwick—alongside the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. In 2018, eight more universities—Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, Queen Mary University of London, Birmingham, Exeter, Bristol, and Southampton—joined the Institute. In 2023, the Institute launched an open university network, enabling all UK universities with an interest in data science and AI to engage and collaborate with the Institute and its wider networks
The Alan Turing Institute has three main goals, namely:
(1) Advancing world-class research and applying it to national and global challenges – The Institute aims to innovate and develop cutting-edge research in data science and artificial intelligence, supporting next-generation theoretical advancements while addressing real-world issues. This work fosters the creation of new businesses, services, and job opportunities.
(2) Building skills for the future – The Institute seeks to equip individuals across various sectors and career stages with the technical and professional expertise needed in data science and AI, aligning with the UK’s growing industrial and societal demands.
(3) Driving an informed public conversation – The Institute strives to provide a balanced perspective on data science and AI by addressing its technical, social, and ethical aspects. Through public engagement and advisory roles, it informs policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society.
This project aims to strengthen AI governance in the Philippines by providing a tailored knowledge and capacity-building program for senior stakeholders from government, academia, and industry. The program will enhance AI literacy and readiness, equipping participants with theoretical, philosophical, and practical insights into AI ethics and governance.
Delivered over four days in Manila, the program will feature interactive sessions led by Turing researchers, focusing on best practices and international standards. It will build knowledge progressively, culminating in the development of preliminary AI governance action plans. Training materials will be customized for the local context to ensure long-term impact on AI ecosystems. Stakeholder input will shape the program through preparatory discussions, ensuring its relevance and effectiveness. Additionally, Turing experts will provide follow-up advisory support for up to 20 working hours per country after the program. The initiative ultimately seeks to foster responsible AI development while balancing innovation and protection for vulnerable communities.
This capacity-building program aligns with Project Objective (i) by enhancing AI literacy and preparedness among key stakeholders. It equips them with philosophical, theoretical, and practical knowledge to understand AI ethics and governance and to develop AI governance and regulation papers for their respective organizations or governments.
Each session includes an initial learning segment followed by a workshop, where participants engage in discussions and hands-on activities, applying their knowledge to case studies and real-world challenges.
This initiative aligns with the Philippines strong commitment to ethical AI adoption, particularly in digital governance, smart cities, cybersecurity, and AI-driven policymaking. Complimentary to the direction is the EUREKA AI Policy Discussion Framework launched by the DICT serves a guiding principle for AI governance, ensuring AI development is ethical, inclusive, and aligned with national priorities.
The EUREKA AI Framework is a strategic initiative led by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) of the Philippines to ensure that AI development aligns with ethical, inclusive, and forward-thinking principles. It was highlighted by Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue during the AI Ethics and Governance in Practice Programme with The Alan Turing Institute.
EUREKA stands for Education, Universal Access, Responsible Use, Ethical Inventions, Knowledge- or Data-Driven Decision-Making, and Agile Governance. The framework promotes AI literacy and skills development across sectors to prepare a future-ready workforce while ensuring that AI benefits all Filipinos, including marginalized communities, through inclusive digital infrastructure. It establishes safeguards and governance mechanisms to prevent AI misuse while maximizing its benefits, encourages AI innovations that uphold human rights, fairness, and transparency, and leverages AI to enhance government efficiency, data management, and public service delivery. Additionally, the framework focuses on developing flexible policies that can adapt to the fast-evolving AI landscape while maintaining accountability and oversight.
Serving as a guiding principle for AI adoption, the EUREKA framework aims to ensures a balanced approach to AI innovation and responsibility. It aims to protect the public interest and safeguard human dignity, promote fairness, inclusivity, and transparency in AI-driven decisions, align with global best practices while responding to local needs, and foster collaboration among governments, industry leaders, and academic institutions. Through this framework, DICT reinforces its commitment to fostering a responsible AI ecosystem in the Philippines.
The Alan Turing Institute Workshop aims to strengthen AI governance and regulatory capabilities within the Philippine government while ensuring that AI policy frameworks align with international norms and best practices. It also seeks to equip participants with essential AI ethics and risk assessment tools, enabling them to develop AI governance and regulation papers tailored to the Philippine context. Additionally, the program fosters cross-sector collaboration by bringing together key stakeholders from government, academia, and industry. The training sessions, led by renowned AI ethics and governance experts from the Alan Turing Institute, provide in-depth insights and guidance on responsible AI development and implementation.
The training sessions will be led by renowned AI ethics and governance experts from the Alan Turing Institute, covering a comprehensive range of topics essential for responsible AI development and implementation. Participants will engage in discussions on AI ethics and governance fundamentals, gaining a deeper understanding of ethical frameworks and best practices. The sessions will also address AI safety, risk management, and accountability, equipping stakeholders with the tools to mitigate potential risks associated with AI deployment. Additionally, experts will provide insights into AI and data protection laws, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Ethical AI innovation and national strategy development will be a key focus, guiding participants in aligning AI policies with broader digital transformation goals. Finally, the training will emphasize practical AI policy implementation, helping policymakers and industry leaders translate theoretical principles into actionable governance strategies. The training will be interactive, featuring workshops, real-world case studies, and group discussions to ensure hands-on learning.
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DICT Undersecretary Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, in her welcome address, highlighted the importance of inclusive AI governance, emphasizing that the country must strike a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility. She underscored DICT’s role in AI policy leadership, citing its participation in international AI governance discussions, including ASEAN AI regulations, the International AI Safety Report, and the Seoul Ministerial Statement on AI.
The Alan Turing Institute’s AI Governance Expertise
The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s leading national center for AI research, recognized for its work in AI governance, ethics, and regulatory frameworks. It has previously contributed to the UK’s National AI Strategy and collaborated with international organizations to shape responsible AI governance.
The AI Ethics and Governance in Practice Programme is based on the Process-Based Governance (PBG) Framework, a structured approach to ensuring AI ethics, fairness, transparency, and accountability. The initiative also builds on global AI governance standards, including best practices from the EU AI Act, OECD AI Principles, and ASEAN AI Ethics Guide.
The AI Governance Workshop in the Philippines, led by The Alan Turing Institute, featured a distinguished panel of experts specializing in AI ethics, governance, and regulation. Dr. Florian Ostmann, the Director of AI Governance and Regulatory Innovation at the Alan Turing Institute, led discussions on AI governance, regulation, and policy innovation. As a recognized expert, he is a member of international AI governance bodies, including the OECD and the World Economic Forum. Another key speaker, Dr. Andrés Domínguez Hernández, serves as an Ethics Fellow at the Alan Turing Institute’s Public Policy Programme. His expertise lies in the ethical, social, and policy implications of AI and emerging technologies, drawing from his previous role as a Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol.
Dr. Allaine Cerwonka, Director of International Work and Partnerships at the Alan Turing Institute, led discussions on international AI governance collaboration and policy strategies. With a background in interdisciplinary AI research, she was formerly the Associate Director of AI for Government & Science at the institute. Supporting AI regulatory efforts, Christopher Thomas, a Research Associate in AI Governance and Regulatory Innovation, provided insights on AI regulatory frameworks and policy. His contributions to UK AI Strategy and the AI Assurance Roadmap position him as a key expert in operationalizing responsible AI principles.
The workshop also featured Nalanda Sharadjaya, a Senior Research Assistant in the Public Policy Programme, specializing in AI regulation, cybersecurity, and ethical AI governance. Smera Jayadeva, a Researcher in Data Justice and Global Ethical Futures, contributed expertise in global AI ethics and responsible innovation. She has played a role in various AI ethics projects under UK and international organizations. Charlie Thomas, the International Affairs Manager at the Alan Turing Institute, led discussions on developing international AI governance projects, with a research focus on AI ethics, bias in healthcare, and national security.
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This expert panel provided in-depth sessions on AI ethics, governance, regulation, and risk assessment, tailored to Philippine government stakeholders, academia, and industry. Their collective experience and global expertise ensured that participants received cutting-edge insights into responsible AI development and governance.
Impact on Philippine AI Policy and Digital Transformation
The Philippines has been making significant strides in AI regulation and digital governance, and its collaboration with the Alan Turing Institute further cements its position as a regional leader in AI governance. This training initiative is expected to yield several key outcomes that will shape the country’s AI policy landscape. One major outcome is the drafting of AI governance action plans aimed at enhancing AI policies to ensure ethical and responsible deployment. Additionally, the program will support the development of AI regulatory sandboxes, providing a controlled environment for safe AI experimentation under regulatory oversight. The initiative also seeks to strengthen collaboration with international AI policy groups, aligning the Philippines with global best practices in AI governance. Lastly, it will enhance AI ethics training within the public sector, equipping government agencies with the necessary knowledge and tools to deploy AI responsibly and transparently.
As the Philippines positions itself as a hub for AI policy innovation, DICT is advocating for AI policy leadership, emphasizing that AI governance should be housed under DICT rather than multiple agencies. The department has been vocal about ensuring AI governance aligns with national digital transformation priorities, advocating for DICT’s leadership in AI policy and regulation.
The AI Ethics and Governance in Practice Programme marks a significant milestone in the Philippines’ AI policy development, ensuring that AI is implemented in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner. Through this strategic partnership with The Alan Turing Institute, the country is poised to become a regional leader in ethical AI adoption.
The recently launched International AI Safety Report is a comprehensive document designed to guide policymakers and stakeholders on the risks associated with advanced general-purpose artificial intelligence (AI) and the strategies needed to manage these risks. Developed by a team of 96 international AI experts, led by Professor Yoshua Bengio, the report underscores the rapid evolution of AI technologies, particularly those with broad capabilities that pose significant implications for safety and security. Initiated after the Bletchley Park AI Safety Summit, the report includes updates from subsequent expert discussions and developments in the AI field.
DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy emphasizes that the path to responsible AI is the fine balance between maximizing its capabilities and ensuring its safety. The Philippines will continue to be a strong voice towards inclusive use of AI and driving innovation that benefits all of society.
The report categorizes AI risks into three main areas. Risks from malicious use include AI-generated fake content, manipulation of public opinion, cyber-offenses, and the potential for biological and chemical attacks. Risks from malfunctions highlight issues such as AI system reliability, biases, and the possibility of losing control over AI operations. Lastly, systemic risks address broader challenges, including labor market disruptions, the widening global AI R&D divide, market concentration, environmental impacts, privacy concerns, and copyright infringement.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) of the Philippines played a key role in the report’s development through its nominee, Dominic Vincent Ligot, a member of the international Expert Advisory Panel. Ligot contributed significantly to discussions on AI risks and safety measures, advocating for a balanced approach that maximizes AI’s benefits while mitigating its dangers. The Philippines’ contributions to the report focused on three critical areas: labor market risks, emphasizing how AI-driven automation could impact employment in developing economies; the global AI R&D divide, which highlights disparities between developed and developing nations in AI research and innovation; and the misuse of AI in generating fake content, a particularly relevant issue given the Philippines’ highly digital and social media-driven landscape.
This report serves as a foundational document for shaping global AI policies, ensuring that AI advancements drive positive societal and economic outcomes while minimizing potential harms.
With DICT’s commitment, AI governance in the Philippines will not only support innovation but also safeguard the rights and welfare of its citizens in an increasingly AI-driven world.