President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Education Secretary Sonny Angara launched Project AGAP.AI, a government initiative positioning artificial intelligence (AI) literacy as a life skill for Filipino students as the country prepares learners for an increasingly digital and automated world.
The program aims to make artificial intelligence a practical, safe, and empowering tool in basic education by helping students, teachers, parents, and school leaders understand how AI works and should be used responsibly, ensuring technology strengthens learning rather than replaces human judgment.
Project AGAP.AI will be rolled out gradually starting in 2026, focusing on providing schools with clear guidance, training, and safeguards as AI becomes more present in classrooms and school systems.
For learners, the initiative means gaining early exposure to tools that can sharpen problem-solving, creativity, and critical thinking—skills increasingly demanded in modern workplaces.
For teachers and school heads, on the other hand, it opens opportunities for smarter lesson planning, improved assessments, and data-informed decision-making.
President Marcos said the project reflects the government’s role in bridging the gap between fast-moving technology and people’s everyday realities, ensuring no learner is left behind as digital transformation accelerates.
At the core of the initiative is capacity-building. Throughout 2026, the Department of Education will conduct a nationwide training program, AI Ready ASEAN Philippines, designed to reach learners, educators, and parents.
The program introduces AI in accessible terms, covering basic concepts, classroom applications, ethical use, data privacy, and risks of misinformation, which are key concerns as young people increasingly engage with digital platforms.
DepEd emphasized that AI literacy involves not only using new tools but developing discernment: teaching students to question, verify, and use technology with responsibility and purpose.
To ensure safety and inclusivity, DepEd will issue Foundational Guidelines on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Basic Education, outlining standards for ethical use, learner protection, and fair access across schools.
These guardrails aim to build public trust while allowing innovation to move forward.
“You have in your hands an extraordinarily powerful tool. But you must use it to help you think and support your learning. It should never replace your drive, your creativity, and grit to learn about our world,” President Marcos emphasized.
Curriculum updates are in the pipeline, with plans to integrate AI concepts into basic education to strengthen computational thinking and digital readiness.
Complementing this are AI-focused training modules for teachers, reinforcing educators’ roles as guides and mentors in an AI-supported learning environment.
Through partnerships with local and international organizations, pilot testing of AI-powered tools will be conducted to support teaching, assessment, and school management that are always guided by principles of reliability, fairness, and data privacy.
Aligned with the Bagong Pilipinas agenda and ASEAN’s long-term digital vision, Project AGAP.AI underscores education as the country’s strongest investment in an AI-shaped future, where young Filipinos become not just technology users but informed citizens capable of shaping how technology serves society.
The initiative represents the government’s recognition that digital literacy and AI competency will be essential skills for future employment and civic participation as automation and artificial intelligence reshape industries and economies worldwide.
