The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Education (DepEd) have partnered to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the Philippine education system, marking a major step toward digital transformation in public schools.
On April 15, DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque led the turnover of 10 high-powered computers to DepEd to support the development and operationalization of AI tools under the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR) initiative.
“This is an investment in our country’s future, a commitment to innovation, a push for progress, and a testament to the power of interagency collaboration,” Roque said during the donation ceremony.
The initiative aligns with the Marcos administration’s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, which emphasizes technology adoption and interagency cooperation to drive innovation in governance and public services.
The donated computers, procured through the DTI’s Tatak Pinoy Strategy Program, will be used to fully transfer and operationalize E-CAIR under DepEd’s management by June 2025.
The E-CAIR system is designed to deploy AI-powered tools that enhance operational efficiency, improve resource allocation, enable data-driven policymaking, and strengthen student support systems.
“More than a simple donation, this embodies sharing the government’s limited resources for optimum use, with a strong emphasis on achieving our common goals,” Roque said.
She added that the DTI remains committed to building a resilient, future-ready workforce by supporting education and digital infrastructure development.
“The DTI stands firmly with our partners in education and workforce development in cultivating globally competitive Filipino talent,” Roque said.
“Through this partnership, we are advancing human capital by integrating digital tools into our education system—bringing meaningful improvements to our schools and communities that will ultimately uplift our local industries,” she added.
The DTI also plans to explore AI solutions to help micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) address real-world challenges and boost innovation across all sectors.
As the Philippines accelerates efforts to upskill its population and embrace emerging technologies, the DTI-DepEd partnership is expected to set the groundwork for a more tech-savvy, globally competitive generation.
