PRESIDENT Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is accelerating the rollout of a national artificial intelligence policy aimed at modernizing government, strengthening education, and driving economic growth, positioning the Philippines as a proponent of responsible and ethical AI adoption.
President Marcos has framed AI as a transformative force that will shape the country’s competitiveness and public institutions, while stressing that innovation must be matched with ethical safeguards and informed regulation.
The administration’s policy direction centers on building infrastructure, developing human capital, and ensuring that AI adoption remains human-centered and responsible.
National AI Program Framework
The Marcos administration is advancing a Philippine AI Program Framework that aims to future-proof the economy by integrating AI across key sectors, including education, agriculture, finance, health care, and manufacturing.
“You’re missing a chance if you wait. AI is going to come like a wave – whatever you do, you’ll still get hit. And if you don’t learn how to swim, you will be left behind,” the President said.
“What AI can do one month ago is different from what AI will be able to do one month from now. It’s such a powerful tool, and you must take advantage of it as quickly as possible,” he added.
“You’re missing a chance if you wait. AI is going to come like a wave – whatever you do, you’ll still get hit. And if you don’t learn how to swim, you will be left behind.”
– President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The Department of Science and Technology said the framework emphasizes investments in digital infrastructure, research and development, and large-scale skills training to prepare the workforce for an AI-enabled economy.
President Marcos has acknowledged that legislation often lags behind technological change, calling on policymakers to deepen their understanding of AI to craft responsive laws that protect the public while allowing innovation to flourish.
He has warned that without clear guardrails, AI could worsen problems such as misinformation, disinformation, and digital inequality.
Education at the Core of AI Policy
Education remains a central pillar of the government’s AI strategy. In January, the administration, through the Department of Education, launched Project Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence (AGAP.AI), which seeks to integrate AI into basic education and teacher training nationwide.
The program includes the development of Foundational Guidelines on AI in Basic Education, envisioned as the country’s first national framework governing ethical AI use in schools.
The initiative aims to strengthen AI literacy among students, educators and parents while addressing concerns related to data privacy, transparency, and appropriate classroom use.
“This means that students will learn how AI works, teachers can learn how to integrate AI into their lessons, and parents can guide their children in using AI safely and wisely at home,” the President said.
