More than 8 in 10 Filipino students have used artificial intelligence for school work, yet many schools still lack the training and rules to keep up, a new ASEAN Foundation report shows.
The study found that 83% of students in the Philippines have tried generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. Most use them to write essays or rephrase text they find online.
Student adoption in the country mirrors wider Southeast Asian trends. Across ASEAN, 87 percent of students rely on AI to look up information, while three out of four use it for writing help.
But teacher adoption tells a different story. Only 73% of Filipino educators use AI in their classrooms. Even fewer, just 42%, use the technology for their own writing. The gap between students and teachers is one of the widest in the region.
According to ASEAN Foundation executive director Piti Srisangsam, age plays a big role. Younger people tend to pick up new technology faster, while older groups usually need more time to adjust.
He also pointed out that many students turn to AI simply because it is easy, not because they fully understand how to use it well or ethically.
The report highlights a deeper problem inside schools. Only half of institutions across ASEAN provide proper training, clear policies, or the basic tools needed to teach AI. Confidence among teachers remains low, with less than half saying they trust their school’s AI rules and systems.
Srisangsam said the Philippines should not stop at just giving students and teachers access to AI. What matters more, he argued, is teaching people how to use it wisely and putting protections in place.