Image by THEPHILBIZNEWS
By Victoria “NIKE” De Dios
Contrary to the fear and misconception of the people about Artificial Intelligence that it will eventually steal the jobs of human laborers, this will not really be the case.
For so many years, this has been the speculation of those who do not understand the dynamics of AI, according to a DOST expert.
Needless to say, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications have been utilized by the government and industries in recent years to further improve its products and services to the people. This is proof that AI’s main intention is not to take away job and livelihood opportunities from many Filipinos; instead, AI is there to help them to be more efficient and productive in achieving their tasks and delivering their respective services.
This was shared by Dr. Enrico C. Paringit executive director of the Department of Science and Technology- Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD), during the airing of the Centrong AgTek episode last 15 October 2021. This program is co-produced by the Department of Science and Technology-Science and Technology Information Institute (DOST-STII) and Centro Escolar University (CEU).
“Ganyan din ang sinabi noong araw na ang computer ang papalit sa tao, hindi naman siya nangyari di ba? Wala namang napalitan, napaganda lang kalidad ng produkto o serbisyong nagagawa natin,” said Dr. Paringit.
(We said that before, those computers will replace humans, but it did not happen, right? It only improved the quality of our products and services.)
DOST-PCIEERD Executive Director Enrico C. Paringit (right) reminded the public that integrating artificial intelligence in our businesses, platforms, and infrastructures is not a way to replace humans and take away job opportunities but instead to capacitate them more in performing their tasks.
Dr. Paringit also emphasized that AI is a tool or technology that would guide us to have better decisions due to the data that humans provided in the system of AI, even the emotion or our being culturally sensitive.
“Ang importante ay mapasok natin kung ano gusto natin, higit sa lahat kung ano nasa isip natin. Kasi kung hindi natin ipapasok mga datos na ito sa Artificial Intelligence, hindi natin malalaman ito at magkakaroon siya ng bias. Ito ang kailangan natin maiwsan,” Dr. Paringit explained.
(It is only important that we encoded those data that we want, and we need and what is on our mind because if we are unable to input those data in the system of Artificial Intelligence there will be biases that we want to avoid.)
Dr. Paringit further said that it is not a question anymore if our country needs AI to improve the way we live. He even said, “we are not be able to feel or notice sometimes, but the benefits of AI make our lives more efficient and convenient.”
“Sa pagbili natin ng mga item sa online shopping sites, artificial intelligence nagpapaandar sa kanya. Bakit alam niya na ganyang uri ng makeup, shampoo, at gadgets ang gusto natin, gumagamit siya ng artificial intelligence sapagkat tayong mga tao ay nagpasok ng datos, nagsearch tayo, hinanap natin keyword, kaya pagbalik ng mga applications nito, alam na niya kung ano gusto natin,” Dr. Paringit said.
(If we go to different online shopping sites, artificial intelligence exists on their platform. The reason these online shopping sites know what products we prefer is because we shared with them some information by searching and typing keywords in their app or platform).
Dr. Paringit reminded the public that we should first recognize the benefits of AI especially if we integrate it into our system and infrastructure. Through AI, people can save time and come up with better decisions in life, armed with the bulk of data. With AI, government offices can deliver an effective and efficient way of providing services to their respective clients. Additionally, industries could offer world-class quality products and be globally competitive because processes are more efficient. He also said that our education system could improve and help students adapt to the changes of the times through AI.
DOST-PCIEERD supports AI-related research projects
In his interview, Dr. Paringit shared the nine research projects related to Artificial Intelligence developed by different universities that are supported by DOST-PCIEERD. Some of these include the following: AI for autonomous vehicles, AI for efficient processing of available big data, tremor sensors to monitor the structural health of infrastructures, a chatbot that monitors the health of students, towed camera system for marine litter monitoring, automated software for faster spectroscopy analysis, and an intelligent system for traffic control and management.
“We are very optimistic with how our AI applications would make our lives much better through the focus of these nine research projects. It covers all sectors where many of us have been relying upon,” said Dr. Paringit.
The chief innovator also shared that aside from supporting our local researchers to develop game-changing AI products and applications, DOST-PCIEERD is also focusing on strengthening the capacity of the infrastructure of our AI industry players as well as the deployment of their developed products.
But above all, Dr. Paringit said that the Council is helping in crafting policies related to the use of AI. He explained that we need to protect the public’s rights when it comes to their personal data or protect them from possible hazards brought by various AI applications. He said that these policies will guide us on who will be accountable once an AI-enabled system is involved in certain issues or problems like accidents involving automated vehicles.
“May mga complications dala ang teknolohiyang ito na dapat nating matutunan at dapat nating intidihin at dapat may karangpatang polisiya at batas na aalalay dito. Layunin ng polisiya na hindi masupil ito bagkus ay magamit ito sa tama at ligtas na paraan,” said Dr. Paringit.
(AI has a corresponding implication that we need to learn and understand. In establishing a policy, we are not preventing the people from using it, instead, we are encouraging them to utilize it in more appropriate ways.)
“I would like everyone to get inspiration from AI. Do not only feel it but also learn to embrace it because when you embrace it, you would not only know how to use it as an application but also learn how to develop solutions and systems from it,” concluded Dr. Paringit.
Dr. Paringit was featured in the program called Centrong AgTek (Agham at Teknolohiya), an experimental online show of the DOST-STII and CEU Media and Communication Department. It seeks to deliver fresh, informative, relevant, and entertaining content that would enable primarily young Filipinos to appreciate and understand the practical benefits of science, technology, and innovation in various aspects of our lives. This initiative is part of the Science Journalism advocacy of DOST-STII with the aim of promoting an innovation ecosystem and of nurturing a culture of science in the country.
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