TLDR: The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has unveiled the National AI Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS Ph), a comprehensive roadmap spanning 2024-2028, aimed at leveraging Artificial Intelligence to foster inclusive innovation, strengthen governance, uplift communities, and propel globally competitive industries. Announced during the 2025 National Innovation Day, the strategy focuses on five core areas: infrastructure, workforce development, innovation, ethics and policy, and deployment, with significant investments planned for high-performance computing and a collaborative AI ecosystem.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) of the Philippines has officially launched its ambitious National AI Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS Ph), a strategic blueprint designed to position the nation as a leader in Artificial Intelligence. Unveiled by DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. during the 2025 National Innovation Day celebration held on April 30, 2025, the strategy outlines a unified vision where AI will serve as a powerful catalyst for inclusive innovation, robust governance, community upliftment, and the development of globally competitive industries.
Secretary Solidum emphasized the critical need for a strategic, inclusive, and future-ready approach to AI development. He stated, “It is now time to take the next bold step. To ensure that our efforts are strategic, inclusive, and future-ready, we are proposing a National AI Strategy for the Philippines or NAIS Ph. Ito ang ‘NAIS’ natin para sa Bagong Pilipinas.” This comprehensive framework is set to guide the country’s AI development, deployment, and governance from 2024 to 2028.
The NAIS Ph is built upon five core strategies: infrastructure, workforce, innovation, ethics and policy, and deployment. These pillars are designed to support the widespread application of AI across various critical sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, disaster response, creative industries, smart cities, and national security. AI applications are expected to drive personalized learning, climate-smart urban planning, precision farming, and enhanced disaster resilience, among other advancements.
A key component of the strategy is the establishment of a Collaborative AI Ecosystem, anchored on four distinct pillars: the AI Factory, which focuses on workforce development, infrastructure, governance, policy, and ethics; the AI Refinery, designed to connect research hubs, industry, and academia to real-world innovations; the AI Hub (i-Hub), intended to link regional industries with tailored AI solutions; and Upskilling Platforms, which will utilize tools like Coursera and the DOST’s SPARTA program to facilitate rapid AI learning and skill enhancement for approximately 30,000 Filipinos.
To bolster AI-driven research and development, the Philippines plans a substantial 26-fold increase in high-performance computing (HPC) capacity by 2028. This significant infrastructure upgrade will include the establishment of a National HPC Center and new regional sites, ensuring researchers nationwide have access to cutting-edge computing power. Secretary Solidum highlighted the importance of these investments, stating, “These investments ensure the Philippines is not just participating but helping shape the future of AI and scientific computing.”
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The implementation of NAIS Ph involves a collaborative effort across multiple government agencies, including the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). These agencies will work in tandem with the private sector to cultivate a cohesive national AI ecosystem, ensuring that innovation is accessible, ethical, and directly responsive to the societal needs of the Philippines. By 2028, the DOST envisions a future where AI profoundly transforms governance, industry, and daily life, fostering a sustainable and technologically advanced future for all Filipinos.
