Creating People-Centric AI Policies: Rappler Executive Leads Workshop for Business Leaders

As concerns about artificial intelligence’s impact on businesses and society grow, industry leaders are increasingly recognizing the need for thoughtful policies that prioritize human interests while harnessing AI’s potential benefits.

This week, Gemma Mendoza, Rappler’s head of digital services and lead researcher on disinformation and platforms, conducted a specialized workshop guiding business executives through the complex process of developing people-centered AI policies for their organizations.

The workshop focused on balancing technological advancement with ethical considerations, addressing key questions about how AI systems should be designed, implemented and regulated to serve human interests rather than undermine them.

“Organizations need to think critically about AI implementation beyond just efficiency gains,” Mendoza explained during the session. “The policies we develop today will shape how these powerful tools impact our employees, customers, and society at large.”

Participants worked through various frameworks for assessing AI risks specific to their industries, with particular attention to potential biases, privacy concerns, and transparency issues that could affect stakeholders. The workshop emphasized that effective AI governance requires input from diverse perspectives beyond just technical teams.

The timing of this initiative reflects growing global concern about unregulated AI development. Recent surveys indicate that while 68% of businesses plan to increase AI investments this year, only 41% have comprehensive policies guiding its ethical use, creating a governance gap that experts warn could lead to unintended consequences.

Rappler, a digital news organization based in the Philippines, has positioned itself at the intersection of media, technology and civic engagement. The company’s focus on disinformation research gives it unique insights into how automated systems can influence information ecosystems and public discourse.

“Media organizations have been on the frontlines of witnessing how algorithms and automated systems can affect information flow and public trust,” Mendoza noted. “These lessons are valuable for businesses developing their own AI strategies.”

The workshop highlighted several key principles for people-first AI policies, including maintaining meaningful human oversight of automated systems, ensuring transparency about when and how AI is being used, and establishing clear accountability structures for AI-related decisions.

Business leaders were also encouraged to consider how their AI implementations might affect different stakeholder groups differently, with particular attention to potentially vulnerable populations who might be disproportionately impacted by algorithmic decisions.

Industry analysts note that such proactive policy development represents a shift in corporate thinking about technology governance. “We’re seeing more companies recognize that waiting for regulation isn’t enough,” said Marissa Chen, a technology policy expert not involved in the workshop. “Forward-thinking organizations are establishing their own ethical guidelines that often go beyond legal requirements.”

The economic stakes are significant. The global AI market is projected to reach $190 billion by 2025, with applications spanning virtually every sector from healthcare and finance to retail and manufacturing. However, public trust in AI systems remains fragile, with research showing that perceived ethical issues can significantly impact consumer and employee relationships with companies deploying these technologies.

Workshop attendees received practical resources for developing their own organizational policies, including assessment tools, stakeholder engagement strategies, and implementation frameworks that can be customized for different business contexts.

“The goal isn’t to create barriers to innovation,” Mendoza emphasized, “but to ensure that innovation moves in directions that truly benefit people and society.”

As governments worldwide work to establish regulatory frameworks for AI, business-led initiatives like this workshop represent an important complement to public policy efforts, potentially establishing industry norms and best practices that could inform more formal regulations.

The workshop concluded with companies developing action plans for policy creation, with many participants committing to inclusive processes that would involve employees, customers, and other stakeholders in shaping their approach to AI governance.