The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday expressed optimism about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) to elevate the quality of education in the Philippines.
Speaking to reporters at the AI Horizons PH 2024 Conference at the University of the Philippines (UP), Angara said AI could improve learning efficiency and offer valuable support to both teachers and students.
“We’re closely studying the possibilities AI can bring. It has clear benefits, both for teachers and students,” he shared.
Angara noted that AI could save teachers time, allowing them to focus on students who need extra help, while more advanced students could progress independently with AI support. “With AI, teachers can allocate more attention to students who need it, while advanced learners can move ahead at their own pace,” he explained.
However, Angara emphasized that integrating AI will require infrastructure upgrades. Currently, 2,000 schools lack access to electricity, and 40,000 require power enhancements. “AI requires stable power and bandwidth, so we must ensure schools are equipped for these technological advancements,” he stated.
Beyond AI, the Department of Education (DepEd) is partnering with platforms like Khan Academy, I AM The Code, and Canva to enhance digital learning tools.
Experts from UP also underscored AI’s potential beyond education, highlighting its impact on national governance and development priorities.
“UP’s AI-powered Research and Innovation Conference is unique because we combine AI expertise with practical applications in agriculture, fisheries, and food security,” said Dr. Giselle Concepcion, UP’s Special Adviser to the President for Research and Innovation.
Dr. Concepcion noted that AI can be leveraged to address top national development areas, including employment, disaster management, climate change, and local governance. “We believe that by collaborating with government, academe, and industry, we can create AI-driven solutions to meet today’s critical challenges,” she added.
The two-day AI Horizons PH 2024 Conference, which runs through October 25, showcases a range of breakthrough projects in education and governance. Key initiatives include advancements in object detection, speech technology, biodiversity databases, automated essay scoring, and road monitoring systems, among others.