The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) will launch today two initiatives that would position the Philippines as a center of excellence in artificial intelligence (AI) research and development (R&D).
Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual said the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy Roadmap 2.0 (NAISR 2.0) and the Center for AI Research (CAIR) will support the growth of the AI industry and unlock the potential of the Philippines to become a national hub for AI development.
Pascual said NAISR 2.0 and CAIR, developed with the support of the Asian Development Bank, present an opportunity for the government, academia, and industry to continue collaborating in ensuring Filipinos will benefit from AI advancements.
Building on the first AI roadmap in 2021, the NAISR 2.0 incorporates recent technological advancements, including Generative AI. This recalibrates the strategic actions, considering recent developments, and addresses emerging themes such as ethics and governance.
In line with the country’s science, technology, and innovation-driven industrial strategy, the new roadmap pursues the strategic mission to harness AI’s transformative potential in boosting the Philippine economy and improving the quality of life for its citizens, according to the DTI.
With the objective of making the Philippines as a center of excellence in AI R&D, CAIR will play a role in leveraging AI’s transformative potential to address societal and industrial challenges, stimulate economic growth, and promote inclusive development.
The DTI said CAIR’s aims to transform the Philippines into a premier destination for AI-driven innovation and investments.
By creating AI solutions for regional concerns notably sustainable agriculture, urban planning, and disaster resilience, CAIR hopes to establish the Philippines as a leader in multiple AI application areas. Through technological innovation, multidisciplinary and cross-disciplinary research, and the development of full-time research scientists, engineers, and R&D personnel, CAIR aims to promote socio-economic R&D, improve scientific knowledge, and strengthen the competitiveness of science and technology in the country while balancing and ensuring responsible AI adoption to improve public services and the lives of Filipinos.
The launch marks the establishment of the first AI hub in the Philippines, housing pioneering AI experts who will be spearheading the center’s goals.
