AI won’t render lawyers obsolete, SC Justice assures law graduates

By Rey E. Requejo

LAWYERS will not be rendered obso - lete with the advent of artificial intelligence that can be applied to the legal profession, Supreme Court Associate Justice Mario Lopez said.

“It is our humanity that renders us indispensable in the practice of law. We are humans guided by conscience and societal responsibility in the dispensation of ultimate justice,” declared Lopez during the Commencement Exercises of the Arellano University School of Law on July 20 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City. Addressing the graduates, Justice Lopez stressed that artificial intelli-

Immigration boss says trafficking victims receive travel docs inside airport shops

By Vito Barcelo

THE Bureau of Immigration on Friday called on local law enforcement agencies to tighten security at the country’s airports to help the country’s efforts against human trafficking.

BI commissioner Norman Tansingco made the call after noticing that many trafficking victims recount how their documents are handed to them in establishments within the airport complex.

“This should not be reached at this point.

Before the victim arrives at the airport, there are too many (people) handling the travel documents. Recruited via social media, they will pay via wire transfer, then will give the fake documents outside of the airport. We all have to open our eyes because it’s happening right under our noses,” he added. gence (AI) is a mere tool for human utilization and not intended to replace humans, especially in the legal profession.

The BI chief suggested strengthening the undercover police presence around the airport premises to detect traffickers who frequent the area.

“There is only one modus, and it occurs daily. To stop trafficking, you have to yank it from its roots and stomp on it hard,” he said.

The agency earlier reported intercepting a female victim last July 17 after being recruited to work in Dubai. The victim pretended to be a tourist bound for Singapore. Her fraudulent documents were given to her right outside Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, an investigation revealed.

“AI has no deep understanding of abstract concepts like justice, equity, compassion, and good conscience. Unlike judges, a robot cannot decide cases through the lens of judicial temperament, open-mindedness, integrity, and independence. Unlike law- yers, AI cannot think outside the box or be creative in its approach or cry out for fairness or detest injustice with courage and perseverance,” the SC magistrate said. While acknowledging that AI can process information with accuracy and speed which humans cannot keep up with, Justice Lopez stressed that it will not render lawyers obsolete.

PH-MADE GAMING MACHINES. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. Chairman and CEO Alejandro H. Tengco (center) looks at a locallymanufactured gaming machine displayed at the Sigma Asia expo and conference in Pasay City on July 20. Beside him are Rep. Luis Raymund Villafuerte (right) and Richard Rivera, PEXA Senior Marketing Manager. Joseph Muego