Department of Science and Technology (DOST) secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. has called for stronger collaboration among government, industry, academe, and civil society in harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) to drive inclusive innovation and sustainable development in the Philippines.
Speaking at the first National AI Stakeholders Conference held on Oct. 13, at the Manila Hotel, Solidum said the event marked a milestone in the country’s digital transformation journey as it brought together key players to chart the implementation of the National AI Strategy of the Philippines (NAIS-PH).
“One agency alone cannot and should not build the power of AI,” Solidum said in his keynote address. “We must collaborate to advance progress, promote inclusivity, and foster responsible innovation.”
‘A whole-of-nation endeavor’
Solidum underscored that building an AI-ready nation is a collective effort requiring sustained cooperation across sectors.
While the Philippines currently ranks 56th in the 2024 Government AI Readiness Index, he said the country is “well-positioned to accelerate progress” through the foundation laid by years of groundwork.
Since 2017, DOST has implemented initiatives to strengthen the country’s AI ecosystem. These include the DOST Summer School for AI, the acquisition of high-performance computing infrastructure, and the funding of 113 AI-related projects worth ₱2.3 billion.
The agency has also established the Center for AI Research, supported AI roadmaps in coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), and promoted AI literacy and capacity-building programs in collaboration with the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), and other partners.
Five pillars of the national AI strategy
The NAIS-PH outlines five strategic pillars to ensure a cohesive and sustainable approach to AI development:
- Infrastructure development
- Workforce upskilling and reskilling
- Innovation and research support
- Data governance and policy formulation
- Deployment and adoption of AI solutions
Each government agency, Solidum said, has a defined role under this framework — from the DOST and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to CHED, TESDA, DOLE, DepEd, DTI, and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
“Each institution contributes its expertise, ensuring that AI becomes part of our national fabric — ethical, sustainable, and inclusive,” he said.
Empowering people through AI
Solidum emphasized that the goal is not merely to improve the country’s global ranking but to ensure that AI “works for Filipinos.”
“Our goal is to make AI a tool for inclusion and not disruption—to make it a force for public good, not private gain alone,” he said.
He cited several DOST-supported projects that demonstrate Filipino ingenuity, including AI systems for automating vehicle evaluation, autonomous drones for agricultural monitoring, and disaster-assessment technologies such as the Asimov-Hawks and Armas systems.
“These are Filipino innovations — proof that with the right ecosystem, we can lead, not follow,” he added.
Building skills and computing power
To sustain AI integration across sectors, DOST aims to train at least 10,000 AI-capable workers and expand AI-related courses and micro-credential programs in higher education institutions.
The department will also promote awareness initiatives such as AI hackathons, film festivals, and exhibits to foster public engagement.
Solidum also announced a major boost in computing infrastructure. The DOST will increase its high-performance computing capacity from 380 teraflops in 2024 to over 10 petaflops by 2028 — a 26-fold expansion — to empower Filipino researchers and innovators.
“This will allow our scientists to develop advanced AI models, compete globally, and collaborate seamlessly with international partners,” he said, citing ongoing partnerships with Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Asean member states through regional programs.
Policy, governance, and ethical AI
The DOST said it is working closely with the World Bank and the European Union on programs that strengthen research infrastructure and digital governance.
Solidum said the government also plans to institutionalize the presence of AI specialists in key agencies and establish a trustworthy AI governance framework to ensure that AI technologies are deployed responsibly, transparently, and in line with human rights and national values.
From strategy to implementation
The two-day conference officially marks the start of the implementation phase of NAIS-PH, which aims to produce a National AI Implementation Roadmap (2024–2028).
The roadmap will outline sectoral priorities, policy recommendations, and resource requirements to accelerate the adoption of AI across government and industry.
“Artificial intelligence is not about replacing people,” Solidum said. “It is about enhancing human potential — ensuring that innovation works for everyone, from students learning with AI tutors, to farmers forecasting yield, to public servants delivering faster and more transparent governance.”
‘Building a smarter nation’
Solidum closed his address with a call for unity in building an AI-powered future.
“The challenge before us is not simply to build a smarter machine, but to build a smarter nation,” he said. “A nation that invests not just in tools, but in people. A nation that believes in the power of collaboration. Because the future of AI in the Philippines is not built by one — but by all.”
