The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) of the Philippines announced Wednesday, May 5, 2021, that it was launching the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Roadmap. The announcement comes as the government aims to become a big data center throughout the whole region.
In line with the roadmap launching, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez announced that the Department of Trade and Industry would be launching a dedicated artificial intelligence research center called the National Center for AI Research (N-CAIR), reports Philstar Global.
According to Philstar, the establishment of the artificial intelligence research facility would provide the private sector access to new and developing technologies in the field. The coming of the AI research center comes as the government intends to double down on “high-value data analytics and AI services to the world” with its big data processing hub.
In a statement, Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said, “Through the AI roadmap, we hope to establish the Philippines as an AI center of excellence in the region that is backed by our rich local talent pool.”
Speaking about the big data center, Lopez states continued to say that it can be “our next higher value, higher-paying service winner after the BPO industry.”
To support its claims about launching the artificial intelligence roadmap of the country, CNN Philippines states that the Department of Trade and Industry cited 2020 data from research companies EDBI and Kearney saying that the AI technologies are slated to bring in a whopping $92 billion to the Philippines come 2030 by the gross domestic product.
CNN Philippines notes that from the data provided by EDBI and Kearney, AI technologies would bring about a total of $1 trillion GDP for the whole of Southeast Asia.
The N-CAIR would reportedly be funded in part by taxpayers’ money but would be privately run, reveals CNN Philippines.
This facility, however, would be available for government agencies, varying industries, and other research centers to use and take advantage of AI technologies and consultancy services, notes Philstar Global. Its services can extend to
In speaking about the project, Lopez said, “The potential AI applications that can benefit companies include avoiding spoilage of agricultural produce, predicting maintenance of equipment, optimizing processes in factories, and enhancing business decision-making through advanced analytics.”
Despite the potential benefits and advances it could bring the Philippines, such as reducing operational costs and improving the overall efficiency and areas of revenue, CNN states that there are already a number of detractors, with one participant questioning the country’s ability to improve IT infrastructure while another took to noting the lack of public inclusion.
