Ferdinand Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, has approved the country’s first and comprehensive national strategy on artificial intelligence (AI), signifying the intent of the government to lean on AI while ensuring its rigorous governance for ethical and responsible use.
The National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS-PH) was spearheaded by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and was approved during a sectoral meeting at Malacañang on Tuesday. With this approval, the country seeks to meet the goal of emerging as a regional hub and global contender in innovation by 2028, all while considering the potential social and economic challenges brought about by rapid innovation and technological change.
AI to Address the Needs of the Philippines
NAIS-PH will guide investments and initiatives for the socio-economic development of the Philippines. In a statement from the Office of the Presidential Communications, Marcos pointed out that the country must leverage the socio-economic potential and strength of AI.
“The President strongly sought measures aimed to deploy AI technology according to the most pressing needs of the country,” the statement read.
As much as AI can be optimally embraced, Marcos underscored that its risks must be mitigated; thus, a balanced approach is necessary to nurture innovation while safeguarding the public from data misuse, unemployment, and lack of personal privacy.
Outlined and Developed into Actionable Steps
The National AI Strategy is developed as a result of months of collaboration and consultation from different sectors. In March, Marcos instructed that DOST spearhead the national initiative that tackles every facet concerning AI. Since then, the department has collaborated closely with academia, industry captains, and disparate branches of government to formulate a blueprint for the responsible and profound implementation of AI in the Philippines.
The new framework outlines the Philippines’ AI Program in the following five areas of concentration: infrastructure, talent and workforce, innovation, data governance and policy, and execution, which serves as a guide to ensure the advantages of AI are harnessed to promote economic development while advancing inclusive growth and robust civic engagement.
Vision for 2028: Innovation, Inclusion, and Global Competitiveness
NAIS-PH has set boundaries and mapped out ambitious goals for an advanced vision. Per their strategy, by 2028, AI will be leveraged to foster innovation, enhance governance, elevate community development, and nudge industries towards global competitiveness. It is evident from the NAIS-PH strategy that it seeks to align with national/key development goals while ensuring that the Philippines is kept in pace during the AI revolution.
AI’s impact goes beyond optimizing public services and local industry transformation to encompass advancements in health, education, and disaster response. There is potential for AI to accelerate the modernization of the economy and government systems in the Philippines.
Rising in the Global AI Readiness Rankings
The enhancement of the country’s position in the Government AI Readiness Index is a good sign and an encouraging development for the country. The index, which is published yearly by Oxford Insights, evaluates countries on their ability to integrate AI into public services and assesses three core pillars: government, technology sector, and data and infrastructure.
In 2024, the Philippines was reported to place 56th out of 188 countries, suggesting the administration is increasingly putting attention on advancing digital governance and technological investments while improving its standing from 65th in 2023.
The NAIS-PH will likely enhance the country’s position in AI technology internationally by fostering the safe and effective use of AI in governance and public sector services.
Finding a Middle Ground
The potential of AI is boundless, although President Marcos does appear to lean towards more cautious auguries. “Mitigating or avoiding innovation risks,” as with maligned innovations, is part of the promise-optimism equation.
Maximizing the strengths of AI while mitigating dangers was a distinct theme during the briefing at Malacañang Palace.
The strategy outlines the importance of public trust and governance and highlights the need for jobs and rights-justified regulations and laws.
The Potential Paths Forward
NAIS-PH is published and officially recognized—now the hard work starts. Gaps in infrastructure aimed towards education as well as safety measures.
With the Philippines preparing for the AI revolution, the government’s leadership provides a model for innovation and responsibility in tandem. The country’s ability to adopt AI for national development hinges on the critical years leading up to 2028—the window of opportunity to leverage the technology for building a more intelligent, inclusive, and competitive economy.
