Colonialism

As one of the countries that underwent the longest periods of colonization, the Philippines struggles to be free of colonial influence. The concern for this can be seen in the interviewees’ described futures.

Both the pessimistic and probable scenarios featured global tech giants remaining dominant in the country (as seen in themes like “Problematic Institutions” and “Privatization”), along with misrepresented groups (i.e. “AI-Enabled Automation and Creation). Meanwhile, the optimistic scenario had the theme “Cultural Conservation & Decolonization”, showcasing technologies that conserve and recreate Filipino culture.

In summary, the interviewees wished for a country that can proudly stand on its own, and feared a future where it was consumed by foreign nations.

So how exactly is colonialism manifested? We can first study how the work of great powers directly or indirectly impact the Philippines. According to scholar Michael Kwet, Global North countries like the United States reinstate colonialism in the Global South through the domination of digital technology; powerful institutions like governments and multinationals act out imperialism by controlling the architecture of the digital ecosystem: network connectivity, hardware, and software.

The United States has been already planting infrastructure in the country at these various levels: it set up satellite broadband technology in remote areas, invested money into building tons of semiconductor factories, and collaborated with local mobile phone operators to provide access to data-light services.

While these initiatives claim to empower underserved communities, they also help assert Americans’ dominance over the Philippines’ tech ecosystem. First, satellites give them control over the country’s digital landscape, having the power to decide who gets internet access. Next, workers in new factories are highly likely to experience labor abuses, similar to the migrant workers of Malaysia’s electronics industry. Finally, zero-rated services like Meta’s Free Basics keep users in walled gardens, turning them into passive consumers of local propaganda and Western corporate content.

Controlling digital experiences in the Global South also enables the Global North to enact cultural imperialism. This can be most visibly seen in social media feeds; PhD student Jianna So believes that algorithms on these platforms may prioritize Western content at the expense of Filipino content. The spotlighting of Western trends may pressure Filipinos to follow them, amplifying colonial mentality. Even harmful societal expectations like colorism would be perpetuated; for instance, trending AI photo generators (like yearbook photos) tend to follow Western-centric beauty norms.

In summary, the United States’ control over social media allows it to impose its values and beliefs on the Philippines, making them easier to control.