Manila: A forensic chemist of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) has been chosen as a member of the International Association of Forensic Toxicologists (TIAFT) Task Force created to evaluate the possible boon and bane of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into forensic toxicology.

According to Philippines News Agency, PDEA Director General Undersecretary Isagani Nerez announced that Nieves Manuela Barbo was named to the task force, which includes other forensic toxicologists from various parts of the globe. This announcement was made during the recent TIAFT General Assembly in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Barbo, holding the rank of Chemist II, is part of the PDEA Laboratory Service, the country's leading drug forensic center specializing in drug analysis and profiling.

Nerez emphasized that Barbo's inclusion in this international scientific initiative highlights the global competence of the agency's workforce. The TIAFT AI Task Force is tasked with investigating current AI applications in analyzing toxicological samples and assessing their potential benefits and drawbacks concerning accuracy, efficiency, ethical concerns, and skills gap.

The TIAFT is a global organization with about 1,800 members actively engaged in analytical toxicology worldwide. It plays a significant role in promoting cooperation, coordination of efforts, and research in forensic toxicology, a multidisciplinary field analyzing biological samples to identify and quantify drugs, alcohol, poisons, and other toxic substances.

Nerez reiterated PDEA's commitment to advancing forensic science through innovation and international collaboration. The agency aims to contribute to the nation's transformative journey under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s "Bagong Pilipinas" agenda by enhancing global competence among its ranks.