Artificial Intelligence in the Philippine Local Governance: Challenges and Opportunities by Cedrick S. Zabala, MPA In this insightful presentation, Zabala explores the transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Local Government Units (LGUs) in the Philippines. As we delve into the current state of AI adoption, we uncover both the nascent enthusiasm and the significant hurdles faced by LGUs. The talk highlights the challenges such as limited technical expertise, inadequate infrastructure, and financial constraints that hinder broader AI implementation. Despite these obstacles, the opportunities AI presents for enhancing local governance are profound. Zabala discusses how AI can streamline administrative processes, enhance decision-making with data-driven insights, and improve citizen engagement through automated services. The presentation not only outlines the potential benefits but also sheds light on the tangible improvements AI has already begun to foster in pilot regions like the Zamboanga Peninsula. Addressing policymakers and stakeholders, Zabala offers strategic recommendations to overcome the challenges. These include investing in human capital, upgrading infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and crafting clear regulatory frameworks to support ethical AI use. The talk emphasizes the importance of collaboration across various sectors to realize the full potential of AI in local governance. Concluding on a visionary note, [Your Name] calls for a unified approach to navigate the complexities of AI integration, suggesting that such advancements could lead to smarter, more responsive, and more inclusive community governance. This presentation not only maps out the challenges and opportunities of AI but also serves as a call to action for all stakeholders involved to help build a #CyberSmart community in the AI world.

1. AI in the Philippine
Local Governance:
Challenges and
Opportunities
CEDRICK S. ZABALA, MPA
Faculty, College of Public Administration and Development Studies,
Western Mindanao State University

2. DIGITAL
TRANSFORMATION

3. Importance of Partnerships
Key challenges faced
by LGUs
OVERVIEW
01
05
THE FUTURE
AI LANDSCAPE
Current state of AI adoption
in Philippine LGUs
RECOMMENDATIONS
for policymakers and
stakeholders
ENGAGING
STAKEHOLDERS
CHALLENGES
04
02
The Road Ahead
OPPORTUNITIES
Opportunities AI offers
06
03

4. AI Adoption in
Philippine LGUs
The AI Landscape
01

5. AI ADOPTION IN PHILIPPINE LGUS
Current State of AI
Stages of
Adoption
Benefits
Improved service delivery,
enhanced decision-making
processes, and increased
efficiency.
Limited with growing interest
Not widespread, and a holistic
adoption strategy is still lacking.

6. 3 Spectrum Levels in AI
Assisted
Intelligence
Automation of primary
tasks like assembly lines
machines.
Augmented
Intelligence
Where AI learns from human
input and can make more
accurate decisions based on
information.
Autonomous
Intelligence
Intelligence where there is
no human interaction like
that for the self-driven cars

7. Zamboanga City:
Towards becoming a Smart City

8. Zamboanga City:
Towards becoming a Smart City

9. Zamboanga City:
Towards becoming a Smart City

10. MOBILE COMMAND
CENTER

11. Challenges in
AI Adoption
02 Barriers to Implementing AI in
Philippine LGUs

12. Challenges to AI adoption in Philippine LGUs
AI Integration among
LGUs in the region
holds immense
potential for
transforming service
delivery, decision-
making processes, and
citizen engagement.
Limited
Technical
Expertise
Inadequate
Data
Infrastructure
Financial
Constraints
1 2 3

13. Opportunities
AI Offers
03 Potential benefits of AI are
immense

14. Opportunities AI Offers
Service Improvement
Automate routine tasks, reduce bureaucracy
Decision Support
Utilize AI for predictive analytics, improving planning and
resource allocation.
Citizen Engagement
AI-powered chatbots for real-time interaction

15. Policy
Recommendations
04 Strategic actions to overcome
the hurdles and harness the full
potential of AI

16. Policy Recommendations
Capacity Building
Invest in human capital
Upskill LGU employees
Infra Development
Prioritize the development
of digital infrastructure
Policy Framework
Create clear guidelines and
policies for AI
implementation.
Secure Funding
LGU should seek
partnerships to fund AI
initiatives

17. Engaging
Stakeholders
05

18. Building a
#CyberSmart Community
involves everyone.
Engaging the
Community

19. The Future
06

20. The Future of AI in Philippine LGUs
Algorithmic Governance Goals
Use of Data Science and AI for
decision making by the
Government for various
services and processes.
Enhance transparency,
efficiency, and citizen
satisfaction

21. Algorithmic Governance
PUBLIC
SERVICES
SUPPORTING
CIVIL
SERVANTS
NATIONAL
PUBLIC
RECORDS
NATIONAL
PHYSICAL
INFRA
STATUTES &
COMPLIANCE
PUBLIC
POLICY
DEVELOP-
MENT
• Interaction
with
Citizens
• Online
Service
Delivery
• Supporting
Civil
Servants
• Case
management
• Forms and
submissions
• Corresponde
nces
• Smart
Cities
• Infra
Planning
• Transport
Comms
• Laws and
Statutes
• Trials and
Prosecution
• Online
dispute
• Monitoring
Public
Opinion
• Policy
simulation
• Government Data Facilities – public data portals, e.g. data.gov
• Internet of Things (IoT) – sensors, devices, network connectivity
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) – machine learning, deep learning, statistical modelling
• Big Data Analytics – large, unstructured, heterogenous data, patterns, correlations
• Behavioural/Predictive Analysis – behavioural psychology
• Blockchain Technologies – distributed ledger, smart contracts
Algorithmic Government Service Architecture (Engin and Treleaven, 2019)

22. ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE
SYSTEMS
• Artificial Intelligence refers to
machines’ ability to replicate
human functions, the ability to
learn and solve problems.
• In computer science, we call them
'Intelligent bots.’
• The goal of AI is to tackle complex
issues, in a similar way humans do,
through different tasks as shown
in this figure.

23. AI for Public Sector
AI in Healthcare
AI-driven Diagnostics,
Personalized Treatments,
imaging diagnostics, and
early detection of potential
pandemics
AI in Agriculture
Real-time advisory,
advanced detection of pest
attacks, and predicting
crop prices to inform
sowing practices
AI in Smart Mobility
Transports and logistics,
are ride-sharing,
semiautonomous features
like driver assist, predictive
engine monitoring, and
maintenance

24. Machine
Learning
the ability of the computer
algorithm to learn from data
and improve automatically.

25. AI for Public Sector
Traffic Management
Algorithmic Government is rising at the world level, and a lot of
countries, where either workload is very high, or there is a shortage
of workforce, the government can still operate smoothly.
Inventory Mng’t Power Systems

26. AI Implementation
Ideate
Conceptualize
Propose
Prototype
Test
Develop and
Deploy
Source: World Bank
Design Thinking
Framework

27. Building Blocks for AI Adoption
Whole-of-Government
Architecture
Interoperability Data
Standardization

28. Conclusion
Opportunities to
enhance public service
Challenges of local
governance
Comprehensive Training
and Infrastructure
Development
Citizen engagement
and partnerships
Significant Barriers
to AI Adoption
Need for
Investment in AI
Potential
Benefits of AI
Collaboration &
Policy Frameworks
1
3 4
2

29. CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, and
includes icons by Flaticon and infographics & images by Freepik
Thanks!
Do you have any questions?
cedzabala@gmail.com
Facebook: @cedzabala

30. AI in the Philippine
Local Governance:
Challenges and
Opportunities
CEDRICK S. ZABALA, MPA
Faculty, College of Public Administration and Development Studies,
Western Mindanao State University