PSA-6 stresses human validation amid rise of AI

By Rjay Zuriaga Castor

The Philippine Statistics Authority in Western Visayas (PSA-6) said artificial intelligence serves only as a tool to assist human specialists in data analysis, emphasizing that final decision-making remains with human experts.

PSA-6 Director Nelida Amolar explained that all data collected by the agency undergo a multistage process involving manual processing, machine processing, and field validation.

“Our data will be manually processed, machine processed, validated in the field, before it is presented, like, for example, the Community-Based Monitoring System,” she said, noting that their stringent process ensures accuracy of results.

Amolar said their field staff and machine processors work around the clock to check inconsistencies or unusual data patterns.

She stressed that discrepancies between the data and the perceived reality on the ground are addressed through field visits and verification involving both PSA data collectors and local government.

“If we see something out of range or an outlier, we don’t just present it. We go to the field to actually validate it,” she said.

As the country celebrates the 36th National Statistics Month, Amolar noted that public appreciation for the role of statistics in everyday life has grown significantly in recent years.

“Our number one objective is to instill awareness, acceptance of the statistics, and promote our agency-wide appreciation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Arecio A. Casing Jr., director of the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development in Western Visayas (DEPDev-6), said their office heavily relies on PSA data in setting regional indicators, measuring achievements, and formulating future development goals.

Casing underscored that accurate data collection remains crucial, especially in an era where AI plays an increasing role in processing information.

“AI is based on data, and AI can process statistics based on what we want. So it is very important that data should first be gathered because this is the basis of NSM and statistics in general,” he said.

Casing also described AI as a “Pandora’s box” that offers both benefits and risks, depending on how responsibly it is used.

“AI is garbage in, garbage out. If the input is garbage, the output will be garbage as well. Users must be vigilant and check the quality of data they use,” he warned.