Cardinal Questions Philippines' AI Hub Project Pax Silica

Caloocan Bishop Cardinal Pablo David has raised questions regarding the benefits that Filipinos can gain from Pax Silica, the Philippine government's AI hub project. In a social media post, the cardinal asked, "Will Pax Silica help build Filipino scientific capability, technological innovation, and industrial resilience? Or will it primarily serve the strategic interests of others while Filipinos provide the land, natural resources, water, energy, tax incentives, and labor?" He emphasized that these are legitimate questions, not because of opposition to foreign investment, but because "genuine partnership should strengthen the nation that hosts it." Pax Silica is a US-led initiative and economic security framework that aims to create a global supply chain for AI and the semiconductor industry, with the Philippines being one of 24 country signatories. Cardinal David called for "transparency, technology transfer, meaningful participation of Filipino scientists and industries, responsible stewardship of the environment, and a clear commitment to moving our country up the value chain rather than remaining merely a source of raw materials and cheap labor." He also referenced Pope Leo XIV's encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas," stating, "the decisive issue is not what artificial intelligence can do, but what kind of human beings we are becoming. Technology must remain the servant of humanity, never its master." He further cautioned against the digital revolution becoming another arena for technological power used for domination rather than cooperation, citing Pope Francis's encyclical "Fratelli Tutti." The cardinal pointed out that the real question is not whether Pax Silica will provide jobs and business opportunities or make artificial intelligence more powerful, but "whether it will help build what Pope Leo calls a civilization of love rather than a culture of power—a future in which technological progress serves human dignity, social fraternity, care for our common home, and peace among nations." In response, Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro urged the public to direct any issues about the planned development of Pax Silica to concerned government agencies, noting that provisions of the US-led initiative may still be adjusted accordingly. The government will take into consideration all concerns, particularly regarding the country's water and electricity supplies. Source: GMA News Philippines