Artificial intelligence (AI) can be a powerful tool for exposing corruption, but it will never be enough without human integrity, accountability and strong political will, experts and former public officials warned at a conference.
This was the central message from speakers at the 11th Annual Public Policy Conference (APPC), organized by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) as part of the 23rd Development Policy Research Month (DPRM).
The consensus among the experts was that while algorithms can detect patterns of fraud and misuse, only strong institutions and human integrity can effectively close the loop on accountability.
Senior Specialist at the Basel Institute on Governance Dr. Jacopo Costa described AI as both a frontier and a warning. He SAID the real strength of AI is in processing large volumes of data, detecting hidden patterns and helping investigators flag risks in public spending, financial records and procurement.
Costa’s team has developed the case analysis tool BaselAI and is involved in the Horizon Europe FALCON project, which is designed to flag risks in procurement and border activities. He also noted AI’s potential in open-source intelligence and training for law enforcement.
Costa, however, urged caution against over-reliance on technology. “We are humans, we have an incredible computational machine—our brains—and I’m sometimes a little bit scared that we are relying completely and entirely on artificial intelligence,” he said.
Former Commission on Audit (COA) commissioner Heidi Mendoza agreed that AI could detect anomalies, but argued the Philippines lacks the basic data infrastructure needed for such tools to be effective.
“Corruption is limitless. It is only limited by the bounds of our imagination,” Mendoza said.
She said that while there is “no debate in terms of the advantages of using AI,” the Philippines still struggles with “the culture of silence and the over-compromised oversight system.”
Drawing on her experience, Mendoza also cited fragmented data, outdated systems and missed opportunities such as the delayed rollout of the Government Integrated Financial Management System (GIFMIS).
For local governance, AI can help untangle complexity but cannot substitute for moral leadership. Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong highlighted AI’s potential in detecting risky patterns and identifying anomalous transactions as local governments begin rolling out e-governance systems to reduce graft.
Magalong underscored the need for ethical standards, political will and investments in digital infrastructure. “AI will not replace integrity, but it can augment and strengthen our collective fight against corruption,” he said.
Former Ombudsman Conchita Carpio-Morales reinforced this view, cautioning that AI must always work hand-in-hand with “HI—human intelligence.”
Carpio-Morales said the application of AI in fighting corruption should be anchored on “fool-proof or fraud-proof technology” and entrusted only to well-trained staff with “deep-seated integrity, moral values, and due respect for the rule of law.”
She said technology alone is insufficient; transparency and access to public information such as Statements of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALNs), should also be safeguarded as they are vital tools for accountability.
