GLOBALLY, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries, economies and societies. In the Philippines, we are seeing the wide use of AI. A common question is, will AI displace many jobs?
According to the Harvard Business Review, “You will not be replaced by AI, but rather you will be replaced by somebody who knows how to use AI.” Thus, it is becoming imperative that employees, business owners and even freelancers become adept in the use of AI. Such knowledge, familiarity or awareness does not stop there. In fact, we are seeing AI literacy emerging as a crucial skill set.
AI literacy refers to the ability to understand, interact with and make informed decisions about AI technologies. As AI continues to permeate various aspects of daily life, it is essential for Filipinos to grasp its fundamentals, limitations and ethical implications to harness its full potential responsibly.
All told, the country has been making strides in adopting AI technologies across sectors such as business process outsourcing (BPO), health care, finance and government services. For instance, the BPO industry is increasingly leveraging AI for customer service automation, while health care providers use AI-driven diagnostics to improve patient care. We are also seeing government-wide efforts in pushing the digital transformation agenda which will produce smart cities, e-governance and AI-enabled education, making AI literacy an essential competency for the future workforce.
Gap in AI literacy
However, despite the growing integration of AI, there is a significant gap in AI literacy among the general population. Many Filipinos are either unaware of how AI affects their daily lives or lack the skills to engage with AI-based systems effectively. This gap presents a risk, as citizens and professionals who do not understand AI could be disadvantaged in the job market, vulnerable to misinformation, or incapable of making informed decisions about AI’s ethical use.
Filipinos are ranked as one of the highest users of social media, and with the pervasive use of such and the disinformation and misinformation happening along the way, lack of AI literacy would deepen this problem, posing a bigger risk overall.
AI literacy is an imperative need in driving economic progress. The Philippines’ economic development heavily relies on the competitiveness of its workforce. With the rise of AI and automation, the demand for traditional jobs is shifting and new skill sets are required to remain relevant.
Workers must be equipped with AI literacy to adapt to changing job roles, such as those in AI-assisted customer support, data analysis and AI system management. Additionally, AI literacy enables businesses to innovate and maintain a competitive edge by leveraging AI-driven insights for better decision-making. Equally important, AI literacy empowers individuals to make informed decisions about AI technologies and their applications.
As AI becomes more prevalent in areas such as finance, health care and education, it is important for people to understand the capabilities and limitations of AI systems to avoid overreliance or misuse. For example, AI-driven financial advising tools can help individuals manage their finances, but users must be aware of how these tools work and their potential biases to make sound financial decisions.
Finally, the need for AI literacy is essential given the ethical considerations and trust that go with the use of AI. Admittedly, the ethical use of AI is a global concern. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias and AI-generated misinformation have raised questions about AI’s responsible development and deployment. AI literacy helps individuals recognize these ethical challenges and advocate for transparency and accountability.
In the Philippines, where issues such as misinformation and data privacy have already caused public concern, AI literacy can help build trust in AI systems by enabling users to critically assess AI-generated information.
AI hallucination
A critical aspect of AI literacy is understanding the phenomenon of AI hallucination, which poses challenges to the technology’s reliability. AI hallucination is a phenomenon in which an AI system, particularly a language model, generates outputs that appear to be factual but are actually inaccurate or entirely fabricated. This can happen because AI models are trained on vast datasets and rely on pattern recognition rather than genuine understanding.
When an AI system hallucinates, it may produce plausible-sounding but incorrect responses, which can mislead users who trust the information AI provides. The risk of AI hallucination contributing to misinformation is significant. It can exacerbate issues related to fake news, political polarization and even public safety.
For example, if AI-generated news articles or social media posts contain hallucinated content, they could misinform the public about critical events or health advisories. AI literacy can help mitigate the risks associated with AI hallucination by equipping people with the skills to critically evaluate AI outputs. Users who are aware of AI’s limitations are more likely to fact-check information and use AI as a supplementary tool rather than a primary source of truth.
This awareness is especially important for professionals in journalism, law and education, where accuracy and reliability are paramount.
Multifaceted approach
To foster AI literacy, the country must implement a multifaceted approach that includes the following:
1. Integrating AI into education. Schools and universities should incorporate AI literacy into the curriculum, covering basic concepts, practical applications and ethical considerations. Programs aimed at teaching coding, data analysis and AI ethics can help students build a strong foundation.
2. Government-led AI awareness campaigns. Public awareness campaigns can help demystify AI and inform citizens about its implications. The government can also establish policies that promote responsible AI use and protect against AI-generated misinformation.
3. Workforce development programs. The private sector, especially industries affected by AI, should invest in upskilling employees through AI training programs. This can prepare workers for AI-enhanced roles and ensure they understand the limitations and risks of AI.
Kay Calpo Lugtu is chief operating officer of Hungry Workhorse, a digital and culture transformation firm. Her advocacies include food innovation, nation-building and sustainability. The author may be reached at [email protected].
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