24 March 2024, Seoul - The Philippines advocated for the safe and responsible use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence, at the recently concluded 3rd Summit for Democracy held from 18 to 20 March 2024.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., during his statement delivered at the Virtual Leaders' Plenary on 20 March 2024, advocated for the participation of the youth in democracy, saying "Democracy must remain inclusive and participatory, leaving no one behind. We must encourage the youth - the leaders and voters of tomorrow - to remain engaged and active in our democratic processes."

The President added, "For this to happen, we need to foster an enabling and welcoming political environment, facilitate access to quality education and accurate information, and provide the youth with leadership and policy-making opportunities."

Secretary for Information, Communications, and Technology Ivan John E. Uy represented the Philippines at the Summit's Ministerial Conference held in Seoul, Republic of Korea on 18 March 2024.

"For a democracy to be able to innovate and forge through the future, we must align emerging technologies such as AI with human values, ethics, and principles," the Minister said during the conference attended by twenty-eight (28) countries, including co-chairs the Republic of Korea, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Ecuador. He likewise informed the Summit of the Philippines' National AI Strategy that seeks to enhance the existing skillset of Filipino talents with AI in order to harness its great potential while keeping in mind the threats posed by those who seek to misuse it and other national priorities to improve our digital infrastructure and literacy.

Secretary Uy likewise underscored the importance of minimizing the disruptive effects of the AI revolution and maximizing its potential in the upcoming 2025 national elections, with the help of international partners. "We have recently awarded a contract to a South Korean company to provide our automated elections system for our upcoming midterm elections in 2025," the Secretary said.

At the sidelines of the Summit, Secretary Uy also met separately with other Heads of Delegations including H.E. Tiit Riisalo of Estonia, Minister for Information, Communications and Technology, Australian Assistant Foreign Minister Tim Watts, MP, Vice President Vera Jaurova of the European Union, and senior officials of the Open Government Partnership, of which the Philippines is a founding member.

During these bilateral meetings, Secretary Uy underscored the Philippines' commitment to digital innovation through the Philippine National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, strengthening the digital infrastructure of the country through connectivity under the Build Better More Program of the Marcos Administration, the development of the Philippines E-Gov Super App, and the Philippine commitment to utilizing modern technology to uphold democracy during the Philippine national elections in 2025. Secretary Uy, as Chairperson of the National Technical Board for the Philippine Elections, also met with the CEO of Miru Systems Inc., the voting machine provider of the 2025 national elections.

As the Philippines is one of the twenty-seven (27) countries that sit on the board of AI Safety, Secretary Uy also looked forward to participating in the AI Safety Summit which will be held in Seoul in 2024.

The DICT Secretary was joined by Philippine Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Third Secretary and Vice Consul Reisha Olavario, and DICT Director Jude Vincent Manuel Gaudan during these meetings. END