PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. yesterday urged the public to be responsible in using technology, including artificial intelligence, as he denounced how unscrupulous people have been abusing the digitalization of services.
Marcos, in the 272nd episode of BBMVLOG entitled “Digitalization,” rallied Filipinos to embrace digital transformation as a vital tool for nation-building as he discussed the advantages of using the latest technologies to ensure faster and more efficient delivery of services and minimizing opportunities for graft and corruption.
“Ang teknolohiya ay nandito para padaliin ang ating buhay, para ilihis ang pamahalaan sa corruption, para maging mabilis ang proseso, para mapapaganda ang edukasyon, ang healthcare at ang kalakalan (Technology should make lives easier, deter government from corruption, speed up processes, and improve education, healthcare, and trade),” he said.
“Higit sa lahat, para magtagumpay at magbuklod ang pamilyang Pilipino. Hindi para sirain ito (But most of all, [technology] should unite and make Filipino families succeed, not to destroy it),” he added.
Marcos said his administration has been pushing for the digitization of the whole country, from digitizing the government processes to minimize processing time and deliver efficient services, to ensuring internet connectivity even in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs) to aid in the delivery of quality education and health services, among others.
The President said technology should be used with discernment and integrity to promote and improve the quality of life of Filipinos.
He said it should not be utilized to harm or take advantage of others, as he noted how it has been used to spread fake news and misinformation, scam people, and promote illegal online gambling.
“Nakakalungkot na ginagamit din ito ng mga masasamang loob. Sa mga scam, sa mga fake news, sa pagpapalaganap ng maling impormasyon at marami sa atin ang nabibiktima rito (It is unfortunate that it is also used by evil-minded people. In scams, in fake news, in spreading false information and many of us have become victims of this),” he said.
“Ang isa pang pinadali ng digitalization ay ang pagsusugal. Maraming pamilya na nasisira dito, lalo na kung hindi responsable ang pagkakagamit (Another thing that digitalization has made easier is gambling. Many families have been ruined by this, especially if it is used irresponsibly),” he added.
Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin said the government is carefully studying the impact of online gaming, including gambling, amid concerns that more people are being addicted to it.
“On the issue of online gaming that is not akin to scams or that has nothing to do with scams and online fraud, well, we are still looking into it because we have to see all the ramifications that gaming of that method may be allowed to operate,” Bersamin said.
