The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on July 14, with Japan-based Rinna Co. Ltd. to launch the agency’s first artificial intelligence (AI)-powered assistant, a move aimed at making government services faster and more accessible.
Project TRINA, which stands for Trade and Industry Assistant, will feature a 24/7 conversational AI avatar on the DTI website that will serve as a one-stop, seamless support tool for the public, reducing the need for in-person visits or manual searching.
The AI assistant will handle queries related to trade, MSME development, consumer rights, and investment policies.
DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque, who led the signing, said the project is pivotal in creating a more modern and inclusive approach to public service.
“With Project TRINA, we are introducing a new technology that allows people to access DTI services anytime, in a way that feels as natural as talking to a real person, breaking down barriers for users who may not be tech-savvy,” Secretary Roque added.
One of TRINA’s key features is its ability to simulate human interaction in English and Tagalog through voice-enabled and emotionally intelligent responses, especially helpful for users with limited digital skills.
In the project’s next phase, DTI plans to expand TRINA’s capabilities, allowing its various frontline offices to develop their own specialized AI assistants that can facilitate active tasks like applying for a license, registering a new business, or filing a consumer complaint with the appropriate DTI office.
Secretary Roque noted that Project TRINA aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to adopt advanced digital tools for public service delivery, guided by ethical AI standards with human oversight and strong data privacy.
The MOU signing also signals the start of DTI’s broader public engagement campaign to raise nationwide awareness about Project TRINA and its role in providing user-friendly government services.
