Marcos: Philippines to Leverage AI for Growth as DepEd Launches AGAP.AI

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Philippines will harness artificial intelligence as a key driver of national development as he led the launch of the Department of Education’s Project Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence, or AGAP.AI, on Friday.

Speaking at Quezon City Science High School on January 9, Marcos said the government is positioning AI as a pillar of economic growth and long-term competitiveness.

“At the national level, we are leveraging AI as an engine for development. We are establishing the Philippine AI Program Framework for the future-proofing of our economy,” he said.

The President said the framework focuses on strengthening digital infrastructure and investing in AI research and development, while equipping workers and educators with future-ready skills.

“Through investment in AI research and development, we ensure that this technology delivers real benefits while remaining ethical and responsible,” he said.

Under AGAP.AI, DepEd will integrate AI use and training in basic education, enabling students to understand how AI works, teachers to apply it in lessons, and parents to guide children in using the technology responsibly.

“This is what we are trying to do today: standing next to our people and bridging the gap between technology and education,” Marcos said.

As part of the initiative, DepEd is developing the Foundational Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence in Basic Education, which will serve as the country’s first national framework for ethical and responsible AI use in schools.

With support from the ASEAN Foundation and Google.org, DepEd will also roll out a national AI skills training program expected to reach up to 1.5 million Filipinos, covering responsible AI use, misinformation detection, privacy and security, and AI literacy.

“We are also investing heavily in our teachers. Through AI-focused training modules, educators will be equipped to teach AI responsibly and creatively, whilst at the same time keeping up with the developing new technologies as they come down the pipeline,” Marcos said.

Marcos said the Philippines is also taking a regional role on AI as ASEAN chair this year, pushing for a harmonized and human-centered AI ecosystem across Southeast Asia.

“That is how we build a Bagong Pilipinas—one that is enabled by technology and powered by Filipinos who choose to learn, to work, and to aspire for a better future for all,” he said.