Philippine Artificial Intelligence Pioneer Charts AI’s Place in Diplomacy
PASAY 23 April 2024 – The misconceptions about artificial intelligence (AI), its broad applications, and potential utility, and impact on diplomacy were underscored yesterday, 18 April 2024, at the Mabini Dialogue Series on the topic “The Use Cases and Frameworks of Artificial Intelligence in Diplomacy.” The event took place at the Carlos P. Romulo Library of the Foreign Service Institute at the DFA Building in Pasay.
Organized by the Center for International Relations and Strategic Studies of the Foreign Service Institute, the Dialogue featured Dr. Eugene Rex Jalao from the Department of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research of the University of the Philippines at Diliman. Dr. Jalao was instrumental in the development of the AI and Data Science Program of the University of the Philippines at Diliman.
In his lecture, Dr. Jalao highlighted the development of AI and its practical use across various industries and domains, including foreign affairs.
According to Dr. Jalao, clearing the concepts and functions of AI is a necessary step towards promoting a well-informed public on the prospects of AI to improve human capacities. An open discourse on AI addresses misperceptions and skepticisms, such as the notion that self-thinking AI machines will eventually displace humans.
Dr. Jalao further discussed the potentials of AI in bolstering Philippine diplomacy. According to him, AI technologies, like large language models, may aid diplomats in their work. AI applications may enhance day-to-day diplomatic operations, including the provision of consular services, cross-cultural understanding, negotiation processes, and public diplomacy.
The ultimate goal of AI adoption is to advance the welfare of the public. To this end, Dr. Jalao emphasized the principles of responsible AI deployment in diplomacy. He also stressed the roles that the government and industry play in AI promotion, development, and ethical use.
The wealth of discussions conveyed that opportunities abound in the use of AI in diplomacy, but challenges and risks remain. The Philippines needs to adapt rapidly to the fast-changing AI technologies by prioritizing long-term and strategic investments on them, including funding research and cultivating the knowledge and talent of Filipinos in the techno-industrial sector. END
