El Nido, Philippines — photo by @zilch

Towards an AI Roadmap for the Philippines

Artificial Intelligence and the Philippine Task Force

On the 1st of August an article was released in OpenGovAsia on the topic of artificial intelligence in the Philippines. It mentioned that several government agencies, academic institutions and members of the industry were working together to produce the AI roadmap.

According to a recent report, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba shared that an AI task force composed of seven agencies will be drafting the road map. This was announced in July 2019 (around the time of the AI strategy deadline for all European countries).

The Philippine government is crafting an artificial intelligence (AI) road map to improve productivity and economic growth in the country

Aside from the DTI the AI task force was supposed to involve:

  1. The Departments of Agriculture (DA)
  2. The Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
  3. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT)
  4. The Department of Education (DepEd)
  5. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
  6. The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)

Apparently these agencies have previously signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the implementation of the Filipinnovation and Entrepreneurship Roadmap, which is meant to build regional inclusive innovations centres (RIICs) across the country.

This agreement to make a roadmap was formalised in November 2019. According to another article from OpenGovAsia it was said that during the signing of the agreement, the data scientists from AIM ASITE presented the framework for the formulation of the roadmap. They highlighted two important steps:

  1. Use of data
  2. Consultations with stakeholders.

Concerns seemed to include in particular jobs displacement due to the use of AI. The AI task force to set up the roadmap was meant to be composed of academicians, government officials and industry stakeholders. It is outlined that the report will provide recommendations on policies and programs such as AI trainings and AI laboratories. The roadmap would serve as a definite step to achieve the goal of the country to become an AI powerhouse in the region.

The Philippines was reportedly third among Southeast Asian governments for AI readiness in 2019, as reckoned by Oxford Insights and the International Development Research Centre. With representations from government, academe and industry working together, the aspiration of becoming an AI Centre of Excellence can be achieved.

The roadmap is aimed at increasing competitiveness.

The Asian Institute of Management (AIM) Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship (ASITE) has been asked to help with the roadmap.

This is #500daysofAI and you are reading article 236. I am writing one new article about or related to artificial intelligence every day for 500 days. My current focus for 100 days 200–300 is national and international strategies for artificial intelligence.





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