Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reportedly shaping various facets of life in the Philippines, including key areas such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and disaster resilience. Specific types of AI, namely generative and spatial AI, are described as driving applications like personalized learning, climate-smart cities, precision farming, disaster response, smart energy, autonomous transport, national security, and financial inclusion. These applications are seen as boosting education, sustainability, resilience, safety, and economic access through specific innovations such as AI tutors, predictive systems, and automated services across diverse sectors.
Philosophy on Innovation
According to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., the philosophy guiding innovation efforts is crucial. Solidum believes that innovation must be accessible to the public, ethical in its development and application, and responsive to real societal needs. This philosophy underscores a user-centric and responsible approach to technological advancement within the country.
Proposal for a National AI Strategy
At the 2025 National Innovation Day celebration, held at Novotel Manila in Quezon City on April 30, 2025, DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. shared a key development in the country’s approach to AI. He announced that the DOST has proposed a National AI Strategy for the Philippines, abbreviated as NAIS Ph. Secretary Solidum explained the rationale and aspiration behind this proposed strategy, stating, “Building on these milestones and the momentum of a whole-of-government approach, it is now time to take the next bold step.
To ensure that our efforts are strategic, inclusive, and future-ready, we are proposing a National AI Strategy for the Philippines, or NAIS Ph. This is our ‘NAIS,’ or wish for Bagong Pilipinas.” This quote highlights the strategy as the next logical step in the country’s AI journey, intended to be strategic, inclusive, and prepared for the future.
Vision and Framework
Secretary Solidum further elaborated on the vision that the DOST holds for this proposed unified national strategy. The vision is centered on a future where AI serves as a power source for inclusive innovation across the nation. This strategy aims to strengthen governance structures, uplift communities, and drive the growth of globally competitive industries within the Philippines. According to Solidum, the development, deployment, and governance of AI in the country will be guided by the Philippine AI Program Framework, which is intended to provide direction through 2028.
Core Strategies and Focus Areas
The proposed NAIS Ph is built upon a foundation of core strategies and defined focus areas. Solidum explained that current efforts related to AI development and implementation are focused on building necessary infrastructure, strengthening the skills of the workforce, advancing relevant technologies, and shaping supportive policies.
He detailed the five core strategies that are at the center of the proposed national strategy: infrastructure, workforce, innovation, ethics and policy, and deployment. These core strategies are planned to be phased in from 2024 to 2028. Solidum added that these strategies are designed to support a wide range of AI applications across various critical sectors, including agriculture, education, smart cities, creative industries, and national security.
Driving Institutions
The efforts to develop and implement the proposed National AI Strategy and its core components are being driven by key institutions within the Philippine government. These include the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). The involvement of this array of government agencies underscores a whole-of-government approach to the development and integration of artificial intelligence in the Philippines, aiming for coordinated efforts across different sectors and levels of governance.
