President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. unveiled a new government program focused on artificial intelligence use in education.
The initiative, named AGAP.AI, seeks to promote the safe and effective use of AI technology for the country’s young learners. Its name comes from a Filipino term meaning “to assist.”
President Marcos stated the program will prepare students, train educators, and help parents guide their children’s technology use. He described it as a significant step forward for the education system.
The Department of Education (DepEd) is creating the nation’s first official rules for using AI in schools. These guidelines are being shaped by discussions with families, teachers, and technology specialists.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara shared the plan’s scale. During 2026, the program will be introduced in stages to a total of 1.5 million people. This includes over a million students, 300,000 teachers, and 150,000 parents.
DepEd will provide national training on AI skills, with help from the ASEAN Foundation and Google.org. Lessons will include online safety, identifying false information, and basic AI concepts. The department also confirmed its partnership with the ASEAN Foundation through a signed agreement.
The government will fund specialized AI training for teachers and test new AI tools in classrooms. All efforts will prioritize student privacy and equitable access, according to the President.
Additionally, DepEd is working with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to include AI topics in the standard school curriculum.
Secretary Angara also confirmed a Php100 million budget for a dedicated AI student training center. Construction is scheduled to finish within the first half of 2026.