As society moves ever closer to the age of full-blown Artificial Intelligence, what was initially a sense of uncertainty and unease among people seems to be bordering on panic and fear. Many worry about losing their jobs, privacy, and even their autonomy. Popular media's portrayal of AI as man's ultimate invention and most devastating downfall only works to deepen the anxiety, teasing even the most level-headed minds to wonder if it truly has the potential to take over the world.

DICT SECRETARY IVAN JOHN UY

Lawyer and technocrat Ivan John Enrile Uy is highly aware of how daunting the concept of Artificial Intelligence can be across different parts of the populace and, more so, its impending reality in the Philippines once the West completes its AI integration. For much as he has been passionate about technology all his life — evolving from a fascinated fan to a computer hobbyist and ultimately the country's foremost IT expert — Uy's childhood, his credentials and convictions afford him the clarity to distinguish between the good and the bad that AI can bring.

Fortunately, Uy currently heads the Philippine government's relatively young Department of Information, Communication and Technology (DICT). Since his appointment to the agency as Secretary in October 2022, his leadership has consistently been marked by a unique combination of technological expertise, compassion, and a deep sense of responsibility. In bearing these qualities, he emerges not only as an ideal figure but also as a reassuring authority to guide Filipinos into the age of Artificial Intelligence.

In this exclusive interview with The Sunday Times Magazine, Secretary Uy's unwavering commitment to assisting other government agencies, the matrix of society's industries, and Filipino families in far-flung barrios toward a genuinely advantageous AI integration compellingly shines through. Through his words and deeds, he embodies a vision of progress tempered by empathy, offering a hopeful glimpse into a future where technology is not something to fear but serves as a force for good.

The Secretary takes pride in having worked with Elon Musk for the deployment of internet connection to 13,000 farflung areas of the Philippines whose communities are now enjoying progress from technology. (Above and below) The Secretary takes pride in having worked with Elon Musk for the deployment of internet connection to 13,000 farflung areas of the Philippines whose communities are now enjoying progress from technology.

Humanity vs. technology

While he admittedly geeks out on the endlessly stunning possibilities of technology to this day, Secretary Uy's extensive 30-year experience in Information and Communications Technology is tangible proof that he will always choose humanity's good over maximizing the potential of any new technology.

Famously credited with developing and integrating the first computer program ever used by the Supreme Court in the early 1990s — the Case Administration System, which provided the justices with the complete status and information of any lawsuit with a simple search — Uy quickly became the go-to guy for ushering modernization across the different branches and agencies of government.

In turn, he was given access to elite training courses abroad, which he could only dream of as a wide-eyed tech geek in his youth. Mainly from the United States, Uy received training under the State Department concerning the federal courts, FBI, digital forensics and cyber investigation. Yet as his technological know-how and skill set grew, becoming increasingly specialized, Uy was never tempted to use them for personal gain or to wield power.

This principle was cemented in him very early on in life, at the same time, he was discovering a fascination with what he likes to describe as "possibilities within the realm of imagination."

"I was a sci-fi fan, so I was interested in space, yes, but it was things like seeing the fax machine before it was even invented on 'Star Trek' that excited me," Uy recalled. "In other words, I was drawn to technology without even knowing it, but I was also very sure that more possibilities like that, like building the Apollo and so on, were just around the corner and would have such an impact on humanity."

Born into a highly regarded family of doctors in Misamis Oriental, Uy's traditional and God-centered upbringing instilled in him a balanced attitude toward technology. While he had a strong desire to create the next mind-blowing invention of his generation, his inclination to assist others ultimately prevailed.

"I was inspired by my dad. He was a doctor in the province who devoted much of his practice to charity," recalled the proud son.

The elder Uy was so compassionate and generous, in fact, that the Secretary had to laugh at the memory of his mother angrily reminding his father that she couldn't pay for the tuition of a brood of seven with eggs, fruits, rice and all sorts of produce his patients would thank him with for treating them for free.

"All the same, what stuck with me was how much he was able to help people. Even as a boy, I felt it was a very noble cause. I realized that if we want to make an impact in our lives and society, it's really in helping those who have less in life. These were the values my parents imparted to me, and I've taken them everywhere I go."

Lured by law

When the time came for the Misamis-rooted techie to pursue a college degree, it still surprises many that Uy himself chose to pursue law.

"Back then, no courses involved technology in a way that excited me. I couldn't find it in any of the sciences, such as electrical, civil, or communications engineering. Like I said, I was dwelling on technology in the realm of imagination, and no course seemed to give me that option," Uy related.

The situation was not a dilemma for the incoming freshman, though. It was enough for him to pursue technology as a hobby back then. At the time, he was already starting to tinker with any available prototype in Greenhills Virra Mall that would eventually become the world's first personal computer.

Uy maintained his decision to go into law, driven by his desire to help others, just like his father did. He believed that law was a profession where he could significantly impact people's lives.

"I don't like blood, so becoming a doctor like him and the rest of my family was out of the question," Uy laughed again.

"But growing up — because my father also ran a pharmacy and eventually went into the rice milling business — he would tell me stories about being harassed by some government employees. Or about people who try to exploit other people, women who were raped and all sorts of injustices and crimes I was old enough to know about.

"And then, of course, when I got into Ateneo for my pre-law, we were exposed to Liberation Theology, where I got to see firsthand the stories my father had told me."

Confident he was on the right path, Uy eventually graduated from the preeminent University of the Philippines Law School, where he was in a for a surprise.

Unlikely combination

Whether or not some part of Uy knew that pursuing law would lead him back to his love for technology really doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. What is more compelling is the fact that had he pursued another degree, he would have never met the late and legendary Supreme Court Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan, who became the conduit that trusted the self-taught techie and new law graduate and put him to task in modernizing the Philippine Judiciary.

Granted that law is hardly the first association that comes to mind when discussing technology, Uy certainly had the good fortune of bridging both worlds together thanks to fate. True enough, it has made all the difference in his ensuing career, where he specializes in ICT and its impact on law, justice, and governmental institutions.

Given Uy's unique vantage point from the two opposing fields, he seems well-prepared to tackle the advent of AI DICT head with policy-making deemed the most effective safeguard for society against the inevitable threats of Artificial Intelligence.

In fact, Uy wasted no time identifying the BPO sector as being most susceptible to AI's impact. Even though the technology capable of replacing call center agents has yet to reach the Philippines, Uy quickly sprung into action by initiating proactive measures to mitigate the potential impact of AI on the BPO sector and advocated for investing in upskilling and reskilling programs to equip workers with the necessary tools for thriving in an AI-driven economy.

While these efforts are ongoing, Uy continues to leverage his expertise in law and technology toward the goal of ensuring the Philippines remains competitive in the global market and retains its No. 1 standing as the world's go-to destination for all BPO needs.

When asked what attitude people should assume toward AI, the Secretary said, "AI is already being adopted in many sectors. In many of my talks, I've always explained that AI is just like any technology. It's good, and it's bad. It can be used to build, destroy, help, impair, or block.

"So, before you do whatever you want with it, you must understand it first. And that's where the DICT is doing a lot of pushing and educating people on what AI is.

"Our goal is to separate fantasy from reality because there's just so much conversation and discussion out there that sometimes the topic gets muddled, and people are confused about how AI is supposed to happen.

"So rather than fear AI, awareness is key for us to identify its potential and benefits and mitigate its threats, like we are doing now with our BPO sector."

Onward march

As a relatively young department, the DICT faces numerous challenges as it strives to fulfill its duties to the best of its abilities.

Yet, he is inspired to keep going when he considers how much the agency has accomplished under his leadership in the first two years of the Marcos Administration.

To begin with, he has already delivered 70 percent of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s marching orders upon his appointment to prioritize internet connectivity for all Filipinos.

"After meeting Elon Musk, we were able to deploy Star Link to 13,000 sites, providing connectivity to most of the far-flung areas left behind," Uy reported.

By the way, under his watch, the DICT doesn't just deliver much-needed connectivity to disenfranchised Filipinos and leave them to figure out how to use the technology. Rather, he instructs teams to go to every site they have connected to hold classes for the community and teach them how to use the internet in their own dialects.

As for the goal of digitizing government services, he admits that many agencies still refuse DICT's assistance because of turf-centered attitudes.

His unrelenting perseverance, however, turns his frustration into motivation when he discovers agencies that welcome the DICT's expertise in creating and designing the appropriate technology for their specific requirements. He cites the eGov and eTravel applications as examples of such successful collaborations.

"I find it inspiring to witness the transformation that happens in these agencies. How they are encouraged by the changes, especially because they feel the public's appreciation for delivering on their mandate with greater efficiency, effectiveness, and speed."

Deservingly, Uy's efforts have not gone unnoticed, with the World Bank now endorsing the Philippines as a model for other nations that are just beginning their journey toward digitization.

With all these experiences — the achievements along with the disappointments — only serving to to steel Uy's dedication to his beliefs and vision of leveraging technology as a catalyst for inclusive development, the DICT Secretary resoundingly reaffirmed his pledge to ensure that no Filipino is left behind in the digital era.

Humble as he is helpful, Secretary Uy concluded the interview by explaining why he is eager and confident to march on toward the age of AI.

"I see His hand in all of this," he meaningfully said. "In each step that I take, I see him guiding and directing me. I see the support that He provides amid all the challenges that come my way. That is why today, I have a strong sense of mission and a strong sense of gratitude that I was given this chance, this opportunity to help in a more impactful way, in a scale that I'm sure my dad never imagined."

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