Politics · Philippines Bureau
Philippines should develop homegrown AI, senator warns of foreign influence
A Philippine senator has called on the government to create a locally-developed artificial intelligence model, cautioning that dependence on foreign AI systems could shape Filipino culture and language. The appeal was made during budget hearings for the Department of Science and Technology's 2027 funding plan.
LSN Philippines ·
Sen. Bam Aquino raised concerns during the Senate committee on finance's budget hearing that continued reliance on foreign-made artificial intelligence could inadvertently influence how Filipinos think, communicate, and perceive their own culture.
Aquino's remarks underscore growing anxieties across Asia about the dominance of Western technology platforms and their potential impact on local identity and values. The senator's push for a Filipino-designed AI model reflects broader regional efforts to develop technological sovereignty and reduce dependence on external tech giants.
The proposal aligns with increasing calls from policymakers worldwide to ensure that artificial intelligence systems reflect local contexts, languages, and cultural values rather than defaulting to foreign-developed standards. Developing such capabilities would require significant investment in research, talent development, and infrastructure within the Philippines.
The issue comes as governments across Southeast Asia grapple with balancing the benefits of advanced technology adoption against concerns about cultural preservation and technological independence. The Department of Science and Technology is expected to address such considerations as it shapes its long-term innovation strategies.