MARCH 28, 2025 – The National Innovation Council (NIC) moved for the creation of a technical group comprising experts and leaders from industry, academe, and government that will conduct a comprehensive study on the capabilities, current ecosystem, and future trajectories of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA).
Approved during the 8th Council meeting held on Wednesday (March 26), this AI think tank will provide crucial insights into the country’s AI preparedness and adoption. These insights will subsequently inform the Philippine government’s formulation of AI policies.
According to a study conducted by Google & Access Partnership in 2023, the adoption of AI, along with the development of essential digital skills, could generate PHP2.8 trillion in annual economic value by 2030. This underscores AI’s potential to drive economic transformation, boost productivity, and enhance the Philippines’ global competitiveness.
“If we want to harness the potential of AI, we urgently need a national approach and policy that will ensure alignment and collaboration between public and private sector efforts. More importantly, we must ensure that the Filipino workforce is adequately prepared to upskill and transition efficiently to these AI developments. To achieve this, we need to understand precisely what we are dealing with and how AI developments can be contextualized within the Philippine setting,” said NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan, who also serves as the Vice Chairperson of the NIC.
The NIC has designated the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as the lead agency for the AI think tank. The DOST will form and spearhead a technical working group tasked with conducting studies on the country’s preparedness for the far-reaching impacts of AI, particularly as the country navigates the rapidly evolving global landscape and addresses AI-related developments in the coming months.
Meanwhile, the NIC also approved the new implementing guidelines for the 2025 Innovation Grants. These guidelines outline the types of innovation programs, activities, and projects that are eligible for grants, along with the corresponding criteria and requirements. From 2022 to 2024, the NIC has been providing grant support to sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, education, defense, transportation and public administration. The approval of these guidelines marks the fourth cycle of the Innovation Grants program, reaffirming the Council’s continued support for innovation initiatives across the country aimed at scaling up solutions to address local needs and challenges.
The implementing guidelines will be released by NEDA in the second quarter, to be followed by the start of the Call for Proposals for the 2025 Innovation Grants.
“Much work still needs to be done, and the establishment of the AI technical group, along with the release of the new implementing guidelines for the 2025 Innovation Grants, mark a significant step forward in enhancing and developing the country’s innovation ecosystem. As President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasizes, nothing less than a whole-of-society and whole-of-government approach can ensure that we are utilizing all possibilities and resources in planning for and pursuing a more prosperous and resilient future that will benefit all Filipinos,” stated the government’s chief socioeconomic planner.
Follow the Filipinnovation Facebook page for updates on the 2025 Innovation Grants.
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