The Philippine government today launched an ambitious, nationwide push to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI), inaugurating a collaborative ecosystem designed to fuel innovation, smart governance, and inclusive growth during the first National AI Stakeholders’ Conference at the Manila Hotel.
Led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the two-day conference marks the official kickoff for the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy of the Philippines (NAIS-PH), a comprehensive roadmap approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. in May 2025.
“AI technologies are now enhancing our transport systems, financial services, creative industries, and even improving energy management, environmental monitoring, and public safety,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum, Jr. “By 2028, we envision a New Philippines powered by AI—one where innovation is inclusive, governance is smarter, and communities are empowered.”
A P2.3 Billion Foundation and a Five-Pillar Strategy
The strategy is built on five key drivers: Infrastructure, Workforce, Innovation, Data Governance and Policy, and Deployment. Secretary Solidum revealed that the foundation is already being laid, with investments in AI now exceeding P2.3 billion across 113 related projects.
He highlighted DOST’s long-standing efforts since 2017, including the AI Summer School for researcher training, the acquisition of high-performance computing systems, and numerous R&D projects supported by the DOST-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).
Sovereign AI and the Need for Speed
The conference underscored the urgency of the mission. DOST-ASTI Director Franz De Leon pointed out that the Philippines’ BPO industry, which employs 1.7 million people and generates US$35 billion, is now the world’s second-largest employer of high AI adoption roles. He issued a stark warning, noting, “Our ASEAN neighbors have invested heavily on AI,” and stressed the need for a National AI Center for Research and Innovation.
Echoing the focus on infrastructure, DICT Assistant Secretary Luis Miguel Planas announced the establishment of a National Fiber Backbone, a critical component for what private partner Converge ICT termed a “Philippine Sovereign AI Infrastructure.”
Ethics, Guardrails, and Empowering People
A central theme of the discussions was the ethical and secure development of AI. Secretary Solidum firmly stated, “We now have to look at the ethical use of AI — life. Ethics before AI.” He emphasized that critical thinking has been integrated into the high school curriculum.
DICT Asec. Planas affirmed that the nation’s greatest asset is its people, detailing ongoing upskilling programs within the agency. However, he acknowledged a current gap, stating, “At the DICT, we don’t still have the policy guidelines on AI.”
Stakeholders from the Analytics & AI Association of the Philippines (AAAP) reinforced the call for governance. AAAP Executive Director Sherwin Pelayo urged both houses of Congress to “pass legislative measures on trustworthy and reliable AI,” while President Michelle Alarcon called for a clear e-governance framework to solidify the justification for a sovereign AI.
The event also showcased the launch of sector-specific AI Roadmaps developed by DOST and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), signaling a unified approach to positioning the Philippines as a future creator and leader in the global AI landscape.#
