When I began my journey as a researcher and filmmaker, I never imagined that my work in cinematic realism—and phenomenology—would one day lead me to develop a framework for ethical AI. But as I reflect on the AEIOU Ethos—Accessible, Equitable, Inclusive, Open, and Universal—I realize how deeply my academic and creative background shaped this vision.
During my PhD, I immersed myself in the study of cinematic realism, exploring how films capture the richness and complexity of everyday life. My work was grounded in phenomenology, with a focus on lived experience—how we perceive and make sense of the world in our daily lives. I was especially drawn to Siegfried Kracauer’s belief that cinema can reconnect us to the life-world—the shared, everyday world we all inhabit.
This perspective became the foundation for my dissertation, which combined research and creative practice. One key element was the Life-world Series—an anthology of ten short films I directed, shot in various countries. Each film explored ordinary lives, capturing moments that are often overlooked yet profoundly meaningful. Through this creative work, I sought to explore the universal threads that connect us all.
Another central focus of my dissertation was the socially engaged cinema of Filipino director Lino Brocka. His films gave voice to marginalized communities and used cinema as a tool for social justice. Brocka’s work deeply informed my understanding of storytelling as a way to foster empathy, inclusivity, and social awareness.
That same sensibility now shapes how I approach artificial intelligence. Like cinema, AI has the power to shape how we experience the world—but it can also reinforce biases and create barriers. My background in phenomenology and human-centered storytelling became the foundation for how I engage with ethical AI, always starting from lived experience and centering the human perspective.
The AEIOU Ethos emerged directly from these experiences. It calls for AI that is accessible, breaking down barriers so everyone can participate; equitable, addressing systemic inequalities; inclusive, reflecting diverse voices as Brocka’s films did so powerfully; open, grounded in transparency and accountability; and universal, embracing a global perspective shaped by my work on the Life-world Series.
The journey from film to AI might seem unconventional, but it has always been about the same thing: understanding and honoring the human experience. Whether through cinema or technology, my focus remains on amplifying human stories and building bridges across experiences. That’s what drives me. And that’s what the AEIOU Ethos is all about.
If you’d like to explore the framework in more depth, my book AEIOU Ethos: A Framework for Responsible AI is now available in paperback and Kindle formats on Amazon. It’s a practical guide to building AI systems that are accessible, equitable, inclusive, open, and universal.
You can also dive into related insights on my Human-AI Alchemist newsletter, where I share articles about responsible AI, human-AI collaboration, and ethical innovation. It’s a great space to explore how we can shape AI to better serve humanity—one thoughtful conversation at a time.
