MANILA – Education Secretary Sonny Angara on Thursday expressed optimism on the possible benefits of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the quality of education in the Philippines.
In an ambush interview at the sidelines of the University of the Philippines’ (UP) AI Horizons PH 2024 Conference, Angara said utilizing AI may advance efficiency in learning.
“Talagang pinag-aaralan namin ano iyong posibilidad diyan. Kasi nakikita natin, may pakinabang talaga diyan yung mga guro, meron din pakinabang sa mga estudyante (We are really studying the possibilities there. Because we see that there’s really a benefit for teachers, even for students),” he said.
In particular, Angara said the technology may assist teachers in dealing with learners.
“Parang matitipid ng oras ni teacher dahil makapag-focus siya doon sa mga nangangailangan. Tapos iyong mga advanced students, pwede na rin mauna kasi sa tulong ng (Teachers can save time and they can focus on those in need. Then the advanced students, they can proceed with the aid of the) AI,” Angara said.
To realize technological advancements and the use of AI, Angara said, there are still 2, 000 schools needing electric power and 40, 000 schools needing electricity upgrades.
“I think, as you all know, AI needs good power, good bandwidth. So we have to ensure that these systems can handle the technology of the future,” he said in a separate speech during the conference.
Before AI, Angara said the DepEd has ongoing partnerships for the utilization of other innovative software and tools that help elevate learning systems including Khan Academy, I AM The Code, and Canva, among others.
AI in governance
Experts from UP, meanwhile, said AI can also help address not only education but also the administration’s top governance agendas.
“UP’s AI-powered Research and Innovation Conference is unique. It’s different. Because in UP, we have AI expertise, but we also have AI-powered experts in agriculture, fisheries, and livestock for food security,” UP Special Adviser to the President for Research and Innovation Giselle Concepcion said in a press conference.
“We think that these are the top priority areas of national development in the country. So, we think that UP and some members of academe from other universities can come together to make a difference, meet with government and academe and industry to come up with AI-powered solutions to the challenges we face today.”
AI may also be utilized in addressing some challenges in employment, disaster management, climate change, and local government operations, among others.
The UP’s two-day AI Horizons PH 2024 Conference, which will run until Oct. 25, showcases various AI projects relating to education and governance.
Among the specific breakthrough projects cited in the conference are advancements in object detection, speech technology, environmental governance particularly on biodiversity databases, automated essay scoring systems, and road monitoring systems, among others. (PNA)