Philippine Internet After 30 Years: Where Are We Now?
In celebration of 30 years of the Philippine Internet, the Philippine Computer Society hosts a panel discussion featuring pioneers of the Internet in the Philippines. The dialogue revolves around the pre-Internet era and the current performance of the country in Internet governance, extending to discussions about digital transformation and artificial intelligence adoption in the Philippines, during which the panelists share their past experiences and future visions in this field.
Reflecting on what the Philippines was like pre-1994 or before the advent of the Internet, the Bulletin Board System (BBS) stood as the primary platform for communication and information exchange. Alongside BBS, T1 lines were accessible, but because of their slow speeds and expensive costs, not everyone fully utilized them. It was also during this time when government agencies were starting to explore online transactions. Examples of this are the National Statistics Office (NSO), National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and Philippine National Police (PNP), which had very simple systems that were connected to telephone lines even before the widespread adoption of the Internet.
Fast forward to the present, the progress of the Philippines in internet governance can be considered moderate. The developments made regarding the Internet and integration of online services in the country were 'just in time' for the pandemic setting. However, issues such as decent speed and cost remain significant concerns, leaving us somewhat lagging behind compared to our Asia Pacific regional counterparts. Additionally, our level of cybersecurity is somewhat lacking, posing potential risks to users' data privacy and security. Considering that the Philippines holds a notable position in terms of online presence, ranking second in global surveys with approximately 12.5 hours of use per day, it raises even more concerns about overexposure and vulnerabilities. Currently, there have been numerous instances of personal information being compromised as it is unknowingly given away by users themselves through online quizzes and similar activities due to a lack of better education and awareness on these matters.
Quoting the Chairman of the PNP Information Technology Management Service Advisory Group for Police Transformation and Development, one of the panelists, “We are not ahead, but we are not too far behind.” PNP is making efforts to combat cybercrime and creating more initiatives to ensure the safety and protection of online users. In addition to government agencies’ efforts, private entities and citizens can also contribute to and cope with the adoption of DX and AI, especially since Filipinos are naturally curious and open to technology. When dealing with emerging technologies, we can always emphasize and take advantage of our own cultural Filipino advantage—our ability to adapt.
Everyone has the power to be co-creators of the digital future. We should not be afraid, but we should also be mindful in utilizing the capabilities of DX and AI. Users should be responsible, particularly since it is evident that some people have become overly reliant on AI as a substitute for their own cognitive abilities, leading them to passively rely on AI instead of actively thinking for themselves. Additionally, the concepts of self-governance and marketability should not take precedence over the need for proper safeguards and regulations. This is where proactivity becomes crucial, not only for businesses and regulators but also for users.
Never stop learning because in learning, you discern what is superficial and what is real. AI was not designed to give you the best answer; it is simply designed to give you the next best word. Always look at AI as a tool rather than as a replacement for the brain."
