TLDR: The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has launched the National AI Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS Ph), a comprehensive roadmap from 2024 to 2028, aimed at positioning the country as a leader in Artificial Intelligence. The strategy focuses on five core pillars: infrastructure, workforce, innovation, ethics and policy, and deployment, with a vision to empower Filipinos, strengthen governance, and foster globally competitive industries through AI. Key initiatives include a significant boost in high-performance computing, upskilling programs for 30,000 Filipinos, and collaborative ecosystems involving government, academia, and the private sector.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) has taken a significant stride towards solidifying the Philippines’ position in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) landscape with the unveiling of its National AI Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS Ph). This ambitious roadmap, spanning from 2024 to 2028, was introduced during the 2025 National Innovation Day celebration in April and further highlighted at the 2025 AI Fest in August, underscoring the nation’s commitment to harnessing AI for national development.
DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. emphasized that the new strategy is designed to be ‘strategic, inclusive, and future-ready.’ 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.’ The overarching vision is for AI to power inclusive innovation, strengthen governance, uplift communities, and drive globally competitive industries, ultimately building a sustainable, tech-enabled future for all Filipinos.
The NAIS Ph is structured around five core strategic pillars: infrastructure, workforce, innovation, ethics and policy, and deployment. These pillars are crucial for supporting AI applications across a wide array of key sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, disaster response, creative industries, smart cities, and national security.
To foster a cohesive national AI ecosystem, various government agencies such as DICT, DepEd, CHED, TESDA, DTI, DOLE, and PSA are collaborating with the private sector. The DOST’s Collaborative AI Ecosystem is anchored on four key pillars: the AI Factory, which focuses on workforce development, infrastructure, governance, policy, and ethics; the AI Refinery, connecting research hubs, industry, and academe to real-world innovations; the AI Hub (i-Hub), linking regional industries to tailored AI solutions; and Upskilling Platforms, utilizing tools like Coursera and the SPARTA program to provide fast-track AI learning for an estimated 30,000 Filipinos.
In a significant move to bolster research and innovation capacity, the Philippines plans a 26-fold increase in high-performance computing (HPC) capacity by 2028. This 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 noted, ‘These investments ensure the Philippines is not just participating but helping shape the future of AI and scientific computing.’
The DOST has already demonstrated its commitment to AI, having invested ₱2.3 billion in 113 AI-related Research and Development (R&D) projects since 2017. Recent initiatives highlighted at the AI Fest include JuanaKNOW, an AI-powered knowledge system connecting research to real-world applications, and DOST Talino.AI, a user-friendly AI platform designed to simplify access to DOST services for citizens. Other projects, such as an AI-powered energy distribution system developed in partnership with Iloilo Science and Technology University and MORE Electric and Power Corporation, showcase practical applications addressing local needs.
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Secretary Solidum reiterated the importance of people-centered and inclusive AI development, emphasizing ‘Agham na Ramdam’ – science and technology that Filipinos can truly feel and experience in their daily lives. The strategy aims to ensure that no one is left behind in the country’s digital transformation.
