As the first university to launch a doctoral program in artificial intelligence (AI) in the country, the University of the Philippines (UP) is in the process of formulating guidelines for "responsible" AI use.

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https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/02/up-diliman-launches-countrys-first-doctoral-program-in-artificial-intelligence/

(Image courtesy of the University of the Philippines)

"In education, AI challenges range from systemic bias, inequality for marginalized groups of students, privacy and bias in data collection and processing," UP System said in a statement posted on its website. 

While AI makes human life easier, UP noted that "many are worried that ChatGPT – an AI-powered system where humans are allowed to converse with machines in a natural way– opens the door to cheating and plagiarism." 

As it considers issuing a policy on AI, UP System (UPS) released a draft of "principles" for responsible AI to serve as guidance for faculty members, staff, and students.  

UP eyes guidelines for responsible AI 

In the released draft titled "UP Principles for Responsible Intelligence," the University mentioned that AI should remain under "meaningful human control" where "humans should ultimately remain in control of, and thus morally responsible for, the behavior of AI systems."

Meanwhile, UP underscored the importance of "safety" --- noting that "compromising safety and security is never acceptable." 

The draft also included the "accountability" of the users.

"University faculty, researchers, staff and students developing, deploying or operating AI systems should be held accountable for their proper functioning," UP said.

Moreover, under the "governance" principle, UP noted that responsible use of AI "it is vital to harness inter-sectoral, interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder expertise to inform decision making." 

"Privacy is a value to uphold and as a right to be protected," it added. 

Meanwhile, UP stressed that AI should be a "public good." 

In this context, UP said that "AI should benefit the Filipino people by fostering inclusive economic growth, sustainable development, political empowerment, and enhanced well-being, among others." 

The draft also emphasized that using AI should have "no risk to the environment" and encourage "collaboration" among researchers and AI developers.

Meanwhile, in the principle of "fairness," UP said: "AI should be assessed for bias and discrimination. Procedures should be in place to proactively identify, mitigate, and remedy these harms. AI developers should be wary of unintended consequences." 

As it aimed for a positive result, UP wanted "everyone should benefit from AI." 

Thus, it noted that those "developing and implementing AI systems should establish and monitor targets to ensure inclusion, diversity and equality." 

"In developing AI systems, the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups must be considered. Incubate local development by localization and reuse of open-source AI tools," UP added. 

Lastly, since AI technology is accessible, users "should be informed when AI-enabled tools are being used," UP noted. 

"The methods should be explainable, to the extent possible, and individuals should be able to understand AI-based outcomes, ways to challenge them, and meaningful remedies to address any harms caused," it added.

AI makes life easier

In its release, UP said that "AI makes our lives easier by automating tasks and providing us with information and recommendations tailored to our needs."

" It is being harnessed in important life decisions such as who gets a job, who gets a loan, what communities get policed, and what kind of medical treatment a patient receives," UP added. 

AI, the University said, can also transform education. 

" It could enhance the personalized learning, increase student engagement in learning, and improve education management," UP added. (Sonny Daanoy)