In a significant step towards digital transformation, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has officially launched a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot designed to fast-track business-related services and simplify compliance processes nationwide.
The AI web interface, accessible round-the-clock via the DTI’s Integrated Registration Information System (iRegis) at https://iregis.dti.gov.ph, marks a major shift in the department’s approach to public service delivery. By removing bureaucratic bottlenecks and enhancing user experience, the DTI aims to reduce the regulatory burden on entrepreneurs and streamline the path to business formation and growth.
AI-Powered Support, Available Anytime, Anywhere
The chatbot utilises AI technology to provide real-time assistance to users, eliminating the need for long queues, in-person transactions, or prolonged email exchanges. Entrepreneurs and business owners can now receive immediate responses to enquiries on DTI-related services, such as business name registration, accreditation, and documentation requirements, without waiting for office hours or staff availability.
“The DTI is leveraging digitisation through this new AI chatbot to cut red tape, improve access, and empower businesses under the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ vision,” said DTI Secretary Cristina Roque in an official statement on Friday.
The department views the chatbot as a key enabler of inclusive digital governance, aligning with the Marcos administration’s broader push for tech-driven public service and a more agile, citizen-centric bureaucracy.
Advancing the ‘Bagong Pilipinas’ Vision
The chatbot is not just a tool for efficiency; it represents a broader strategic commitment by the government to reimagine governance through technology. Secretary Roque emphasised that this digital initiative fits into the “Bagong Pilipinas” agenda, a national vision for a transformed and modernised Philippines built on transparency, accountability, and economic empowerment.
By integrating AI into its frontline services, the DTI aims to remove long-standing obstacles that many Filipino entrepreneurs face when starting or formalising their businesses. In a landscape where red tape has historically been one of the most cited barriers to entrepreneurship, the department’s move signals a decisive turn towards innovation and responsiveness.
Boosting Ease of Doing Business
The chatbot rollout reinforces the DTI’s commitment to improving the country’s ease of doing business, a critical factor in attracting investment, stimulating job creation, and driving long-term economic growth.
Digitalisation of government services has been a priority in recent years, especially amid the pandemic-induced shift towards contactless transactions. With the launch of the AI chatbot, the DTI is among the first agencies to harness artificial intelligence specifically for regulatory compliance and licencing, two areas often plagued by slow turnarounds and administrative confusion.
The department’s statement reiterated its mission: “to ease doing business and contribute to sustainable national economic growth.”
From Paperwork to Progress
While the AI chatbot may seem like a small step, it represents a large leap in terms of mindset and service model. Rather than requiring citizens to navigate complex bureaucratic channels, the DTI is moving towards a more proactive and automated support system, one that meets business owners where they are, when they need it.
The 24/7 accessibility of the chatbot is especially important for entrepreneurs in the provinces or those running online businesses who may not have the flexibility to visit DTI offices during work hours. By centralising and automating routine enquiries, the department is also freeing up human resources to focus on higher-value services and policy innovation.
The Road Ahead
As AI adoption continues to accelerate globally, the Philippines is gradually positioning itself to harness its benefits within the public sector. The DTI’s initiative could serve as a model for other government agencies looking to modernise service delivery and engage citizens more effectively.
While the success of the chatbot will ultimately be measured by user experience and measurable impact on efficiency, its launch is already a significant milestone in the country’s digital governance journey.
With this development, the message from the DTI is clear: a more responsive, accessible, and digitally empowered government is no longer a future goal; it’s already being built, one chatbot at a time.
