Over 80 leading technologists, AI experts, and education officials gathered today at a pivotal forum convened by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) and the University of the Philippines (UP), through the Philippine APEC Study Center Network (PASCN). The discussions centered on the innovative applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address critical challenges in education, including class disruptions and the delivery of vital social subsidies.
The forum underscored the urgent need for inclusive policies to ensure that the AI revolution benefits all. “Without inclusive policies and programs, the AI revolution may exacerbate, not reduce, inequality,” stated PIDS President Aniceto C. Orbeta, Jr., emphasizing the critical importance of cross-agency coordination and sustained investments in digital infrastructure and education.
The Department of Education (DepEd) showcased two high-impact initiatives from its flagship Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR) program. “We are no longer asking if AI should be in education. We are asking how to use it responsibly to solve real problems,” remarked Dr. Sebastian Ibanez, Deputy Chief AI and Data Officer of E-CAIR. He described E-CAIR as a transformative hub dedicated to designing, developing, and deploying AI-driven solutions aligned with DepEd’s strategic agenda to enhance education, empower teachers, and equip students with future-ready skills.
“If we get this right,” Dr. Ibanez added, “AI can help us leapfrog deep-rooted challenges—from disaster response to dropout rates—and create a more equitable future for learners.”
Project LIGTAS: AI-Powered School Resilience
A key highlight was Project LIGTAS (Learning Institution GeoHazard Tracking and Assessment for Safety), an innovative initiative that integrates AI modeling and satellite data with DepEd and DOST-PAGASA information. This project empowers schools to proactively anticipate risks from floods, landslides, and extreme heat, linking these hazards to student learning data, such as reading proficiencies. This comprehensive approach enables education officials to design strategies that ensure uninterrupted education delivery even amidst extreme weather conditions.
“We do not just predict. We pro-actively and strategically plan ahead of time, reducing the effects of hazards and ensuring that no student is left behind,” explained Jose Marie Antonio Minoza, a senior data scientist at E-CAIR.
Project PAARAL: Smarter Subsidies through AI Insights
The forum also featured Project PAARAL, which leverages AI to scrutinize the implementation of DepEd’s subsidy programs, particularly the Senior High School (SHS) Voucher Subsidy Program. By using AI-generated school graph networks built from open-source location and road data, the project visualizes road distances and the isolation of private and public schools to calculate education spending.
These insights help identify underserved areas and reveal discrepancies where government vouchers fall short of actual tuition fees, thus limiting access to private education for low-income students. “We found that on average, students still need ₱20,000 out-of-pocket despite a ₱9,000 government subsidy,” shared Sebastian Felipe Bundoc, a data scientist at E-CAIR, underscoring how such data helps policymakers rethink financial support structures.
Policy Reflections and Future Commitments
Reflecting on AI’s transformative potential, PIDS incoming President Philip Arnold Tuaño declared, “The message is clear—AI is not a distant technological promise, but a present reality with transformative potential for our education system.” Meanwhile, UP President Atty. Angelo Jimenez challenged attendees to uphold ethical standards, privacy, and democratic values in leveraging AI innovations. “It is not just a question of how AI works but for whom it should work and to what ends—it must uplift rather than exclude; empower, rather than marginalize.”
As AI continues to evolve, PIDS and its partners remain steadfast in their commitment to fostering discussions that align innovation with principles of equity, inclusion, and the public good.
