A Multisectoral and Democratized AI Governance Policy for St. Paul University Manila Countering Global Techno-Authoritarianism and Abuse

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on higher education governance, with a focus on creating a multisectoral and democratized policy framework for St. Paul University Manila (SPUM). It discusses the ethical and practical implications of AI adoption, highlighting the increasing control of AI by global corporations and the risks associated with techno-authoritarianism. The paper asserts that universities, particularly Catholic institutions, must assert leadership in the governance of AI by creating policies that align with their moral and civic responsibilities. By examining both open-source and for-profit AI systems, the study emphasizes the need for universities to manage AI's integration through participatory, transparent governance that incorporates faculty, students, administrators, IT professionals, and community stakeholders. Key mechanisms for user influence on AI, such as prompt engineering and system-level personalization, are also explored, alongside the economic pressures shaping AI's architecture and functionality. The proposed framework offers a balance between centralized control for risk management and decentralized user involvement in decision-making processes. The paper concludes by recommending a localized AI governance policy for SPUM, grounded in Catholic social teachings, and emphasizes the necessity of ongoing review and adaptation to ensure AI's responsible use in teaching, research, and administration.