Artificial Intelligence

PHL artificial-intelligence road map in the works, DTI chief Lopez says


The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) sets the wheels in motion for the crafting of the country’s artificial-intelligence sector road map as testament to the Philippine potential as an AI powerhouse in the Asean region.

Trade Undersecretary
Rafaelita M. Aldaba of the Competitiveness and Innovation Group led the formal
signing of an agreement with distinguished data scientists, Dr. Christopher P.
Monterola and Dr. Erika Fille T. Legara, for the formulation of an AI road map
early this month.

With the advent of the Fourth
Industrial Revolution (4IR) where technology becomes more enmeshed with
everyday life, AI advancement is seen as one of the key factors to help keep
our country competitive. AI’s importance is underscored as it is emerging to be
a potential bright spot for our country with wide opportunities for growth for
our competent work force.

“The formulation of the AI road map is very
important and timely. This effort provides the impetus that will move the
country forward to keep up with the rapidly changing times,” Aldaba emphasized.
She also noted that the Philippines ranked third in the Southeast Asian region
in the Government Artificial Intelligence Readiness Index 2019.

For their part, Monterola
and  Legara from the Asian Institute of
Management (AIM) Aboitiz School of Innovation, Technology, and Entrepreneurship
(ASITE), presented the framework for the formulation of the road map, which
shall primarily be data-driven and consultative in nature.

An AI task force consisting of academicians,
government officials and industry stakeholders will be created to support this
initiative. The road map will conduct an analysis of AI’s impact on the
country’s industries and work force, and recommend policies and programs that
are necessary for success such as AI trainings and AI labs.

The DTI affirms its commitment
to look at the interests of the sectors concerned to capitalize on the
opportunities, as well as address the challenges faced by the country in the
ongoing AI transformation, in the wake of 4IR that is projected to affect the
country’s economic trajectory.

Aldaba remarked that the road map is a definite
way forward to realize the goal of making the country an AI powerhouse in the
region. “With all of us [government, academe, industry] working together, our
aspiration to become an AI Center of Excellence would be achieved,” she concluded.



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