SHOULD DEPED AND CHED REGULATE THE USE OF AI IN ACADEMIC
WORK? SETTING ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR AI-ASSISTED LEARNING?
A TERM PAPER PRESENTED TO MR. DANTE TIMOTHY J. SORIANO
ISABELA STATE UNIVERSITY
CABAGAN, ISABELA
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in
EEd Spec 326 (Technology for Teaching and Learning in the Elementary Grades)
2nd Semester, A.Y. 2024-2025
REYNALIN C. LADDRAN
BEED 3
MARCH 2025
INTRODUCTION
The quick development of artificial intelligence (AI) in recent years has had a big
impact on how students’ study, learn, and finish assignments. These technologies,
which range from research tools and automated coaching platforms to AI-powered
writing helpers and grammar checks, have become more widely available to students
of all skill levels. While artificial intelligence (AI) can be a great aid, particularly when
it comes to helping students with difficult tasks like writing theses, it also raises
questions about academic integrity, an excessive dependence on technology, and
unequal access to digital resources.
Education is one of the industries most influenced by the quick development of AI
technologies, which has changed many other industries. Learning processes can be
improved by AI tools, which range from intelligent tutoring systems to automated
grading systems. However, there are concerns over how AI use in academic work may
affect learning outcomes, academic dishonesty, and the educational environment as a
whole. DepEd and CHED, the main regulatory agencies for education in the
Philippines, must think about how AI may affect academics and whether regulation is
required.
REVIEW RELATED LITERATURE
Ethical Concerns in AI-Assisted
Academic Integrity: Plagiarism is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to
produce essays or entire tasks without giving due credit, which compromises academic
integrity and the validity of educational assessment. Because in academics, if you only
take AI, you won't learn anything because you're only relying on AI.
Equity and Access: a gaps in access are caused by the price and accessibility of
AI technologies, which could exacerbate already-existing educational gaps. An unfair
playing field may result from underprivileged students' lack of resources to use these
tools.
Ethical and Academic Challenges of AI Use (continued with sources)
Despite the potential advantages, the unregulated use of AI poses significant
ethical and academic concerns-One of the primary issues is academic integrity. When
students use AI-generated content without proper acknowledgment, it undermines the
principle of originality and authentic learning. There is also the risk of students relying
too heavily on AI, leading to a reduction in critical thinking, problem-solving, and
creativity.
Academic institutions such as Lyceum of the Philippines University - Cavite (LPU
Cavite) have already taken steps to address academic integrity concerns by establishing
clear academic policies and ethical guidelines. According to the university’s Academic
Affairs Guidelines, the use of technological tools must adhere to institutional standards
to ensure the authenticity and originality of academic outputs. This reinforces the
importance of aligning AI usage with ethical academic practices, particularly in research
and written coursework.
Moreover, an article by the Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) titled
“Risks and Rewards of AI in Education” highlights the dual nature of AI tools: while they
offer educational support and personalization, they can also lead to misinformation,
decreased student accountability, and the normalization of academic shortcuts. TIP
emphasizes the need for ethical use to ensure that AI remains a support tool—not a
replacement for human learning.
The Need for Regulation by DepEd and CHED (updated with Rep. Tiangco’s
statement)
Given the growing role of AI in academic environments, government agencies
must take a proactive stance. In line with this, House Representative Rex Gatchalian
Tiangco called for the urgent establishment of ethical AI guidelines in the Department
of Education’s technology-driven learning systems. As reported by the Philippine
Information Agency (PIA), Tiangco stressed that without clear ethical standards, AI
could be misused or misunderstood by both educators and students (PIA, 2023). This
call for regulation highlights the increasing need for national-level policies that guide
proper AI integration in both basic and higher education.
Such efforts align with the idea that DepEd and CHED, as the primary stewards
of Philippine education, must craft formal policies to prevent misuse, protect students,
and ensure fair and responsible implementation of AI in learning environment.
Proposed Ethical Guidelines for AI-Assisted Learning (supported by academic
insights)
To support the ethical use of AI, several research-based recommendations have
been proposed. A study published by De La Salle University (DLSU) in their AI &
Policy- Making in Education series outlines essential components of AI regulation,
including transparency, data governance, and algorithmic accountability. The authors
stress that educational institutions must not only promote AI literacy but also ensure that
students and teachers are aware of the limitations and ethical considerations of these
education for both students and faculty. This supports the need for CHED and DepEd to
incorporate ethical training and awareness into their programs—going beyond
regulation and into holistic AI.
This supports the need for CHED and DepEd to incorporate ethical training and
awareness into their programs—going beyond regulation and into holistic AI.
Conclusion:
The AI continues to evolve and reshape educational practices in the Philippines,
the role of CHED and DepEd becomes increasingly critical. National guidelines must
strike a balance between encouraging innovation and upholding academic ethics. By
setting ethical standards, ensuring fair access, and promoting AI literacy, these
institutions can support a future-ready educational system that uses technology to
empower—not replace—student learning.
Academic work must be approached with both optimism and caution. AI offers
undeniable benefits—enhancing learning experiences, supporting students with
research and writing tasks, and improving access to academic resources. However,
without appropriate regulations, the use of AI also introduces significant risks to
academic integrity, student development, and educational fairness. The growing
dependency on AI tools underscores the need for clearly defined ethical guidelines and
responsible usage. In this context, the active involvement of the Department of
Education (DepEd) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is vital. These
institutions must take the lead in developing national frameworks that ensure the
responsible integration of AI in academic environments. By doing so, they can uphold
academic standards, protect learners from misuse, and promote a culture of
transparency, accountability, and digital literacy. With proper regulation, AI can be
harnessed not as a shortcut, but as a powerful tool to empower students, enhance
learning outcomes, and prepare the Philippine education system for a more
technologically advanced future
References:
• Commission on Higher Education. (2013). CHED Memorandum Order No. 9,
Series of 2013: Academic and research integrity. https://ched.gov.ph/
• De La Salle University. (2023). AI governance and policy-making for
Philippine education. Animo Repository.
https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1006&conte
xt=apipmibookseries
• Department of Education. (n.d.). ICT in education roadmap.
https://www.deped.gov.ph/
• Lyceum of the Philippines University - Cavite. (n.d.). Academic affairs
guidelines. https://cavite.lpu.edu.ph/academics/academic-affairs-guidelines/
• OECD. (2021). AI and the future of skills, Volume 1: Capabilities and
assessments. https://www.oecd.org/publications/ai-and-the-future-of-
skills-volume-1- bbdefd6d-en.htm
• Philippine Information Agency. (2023, September 13). Rep. Tiangco calls for
ethical AI guidelines in DepEd’s tech-driven learning. https://pia.gov.ph/rep-
tiangco-calls-for-ethical-ai-guidelines-in-depeds-tech- driven-learning/
• Republic of the Philippines. (2012). Republic Act No. 10173: Data Privacy
Act of 2012. https://www.privacy.gov.ph/data-privacy-act/
• Technological Institute of the Philippines. (2023). Risks and rewards of
AI in education. https://www.tip.edu.ph/home/risks-rewards-ai-in-education/
• UNESCO. (2021). AI and education: Guidance for policy-makers.
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000377071
• World Economic Forum. (2023). Ethics and AI in education.
https://www.weforum.org
