PREPARING FOR THE INTELLIGENCE AGE

 

PREPARING FOR THE INTELLIGENCE AGE

The Philippines has long identified itself as an agricultural country. However, this claim merits closer scrutiny, as we remain heavily dependent on importing essential food items such as rice, flour, and milk. This reliance raises a critical question: have we truly embraced the agricultural age? Arguably, we have missed this era.

Similarly, it seems that the Philippines has also fallen short of fully capitalizing on the industrial age. Despite some progress, the development of heavy industries remains far from optimal, leaving us trailing behind nations that have leveraged industrialization for economic growth.

When it comes to the information age, our country’s performance is equally concerning. The Philippines has yet to produce world-class hardware or software to showcase on the global stage. Even domestically, we have not fully computerized or digitalized our government systems, nor have we made significant advances in areas like e-learning and telemedicine. Rather than being creators, we have largely been consumers of information technology developed by other nations.

Now, scientists predict the advent of a new era: the intelligence age, also known as the data age. This age will be defined by the power of data, with artificial intelligence (AI) at its core. AI, which began with the science of electronic data processing (EDP), has evolved through data analytics and business intelligence into the sophisticated systems we see today, such as Microsoft Power BI and AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity.

With AI comes robotics, and with robotics, the evolution of androids—machines that resemble humans. While AI in its current form is still in its infancy, exemplified by digital assistants like Alexa and Siri, its potential is vast. Iconic fictional examples like R2D2, C3PO, and Commander Data illustrate where AI could lead us, from helpful robots to sentient androids. The future dominance of AI in the intelligence age is inevitable.

Given this context, it is imperative for the Philippines to prepare for the intelligence age. This preparation raises several critical questions:

1.   Who should lead AI development in the country? Should it be the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), or a new agency altogether?

2.   Could state universities and colleges take the lead in AI research and development?

3.   What legislative measures should be introduced to maximize the benefits of AI and regulate its use?

In the United States, lawmakers are already crafting policies to govern AI. Shouldn’t the Philippines follow suit to avoid being left behind yet again?

To seize the opportunities of the intelligence age, we must adopt a proactive stance. Investments in AI research, education, and infrastructure are crucial. Equally important is fostering collaboration between government agencies, academic institutions, and the private sector. By doing so, we can position the Philippines as a competitive player in this new era, rather than merely a bystander.

As we stand on the brink of the intelligence age, the question is clear: will the Philippines rise to the occasion, or will it once again miss the opportunities of a transformative era?

Ramon Ike V. Seneres
iseneres@yahoo.com, 09088877282, senseneres.blogspot.com

02-13-2025

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