Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly reshaping economies, institutions, and everyday life worldwide. In the Philippines, this transformation is defined by a striking paradox: Filipinos are among the world’s most enthusiastic users of AI, yet the country remains structurally underprepared to govern, sustain, and shape its long-term impacts. This disconnect between widespread adoption and institutional readiness underscores the urgency of developing coherent, inclusive, and context-sensitive AI policy frameworks.
This publication is grounded in the outcomes of the roundtable discussion Grassroots Perspectives on AI: Shaping Policy in Education, Ethics, Engineering, and Enforcement, held on 18 September 2025. The roundtable convened 20 experts from government, the private sector, civil society, and academia to articulate policy directions that address the country’s unique combination of high AI adoption and low institutional readiness.
Guided by the 4E Framework—Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Ethics—the discussions emphasized that AI governance must be approached as an integrated system. Participants highlighted persistent structural challenges, including infrastructure gaps, fragmented institutional mandates, risks of technological dependence, and ethical vulnerabilities in a highly connected yet unevenly protected society. Across all four pillars, the contributors stressed the importance of shifting from passive consumption of foreign AI technologies toward building sovereign capabilities rooted in Filipino values, languages, and development priorities.
This publication presents a consolidated synthesis of the roundtable’s findings and recommendations, outlining both immediate policy actions and longer-term strategic reforms. It advances a clear message: the central challenge for the Philippines is no longer whether AI will shape society—it already does—but whether national institutions are prepared to guide its development in ways that promote inclusion, accountability, and human dignity.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all roundtable participants, facilitators, and partner organizations whose expertise and engagement made this initiative possible.
As you engage with this publication, we hope it contributes to informed dialogue and sustained collaboration across sectors. Let us continue working toward AI governance that strengthens democratic institutions, supports inclusive growth, and ensures that technological progress serves the common good.
