Pascual pitches AI ventures with US
‘Fostering a future-ready workforce is a collaborative effort that should be undertaken by both public and private stakeholders.’
Daily Tribune‘Fostering a future-ready workforce is a collaborative effort that should be undertaken by both public and private stakeholders.’
High-level Philippine delegation includes (from left) House Speaker Martin Romualdez, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., House Deputy Speaker Ralph Recto and Trade Secretary Alfredo Pascual. They met with the members of the United States' Semiconductor Industry Association in San Francisco, California. Pascual said the electronics and semiconductors industries play a pivotal role in the country’s path to recovery and growth. | photograph courtesy of DTI
Collaboration between technology firms of Silicon Valley in California and the Philippine government will seek to improve the skills of Filipino technicians in preparation for the artificial intelligence era.
Trade and Industry Secretary Alfredo Pascual, who is part of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC, forum delegation of President Ferdinand Marcos who flew to San Francisco, California, discussed potential partnerships in harnessing AI technology, particularly in upskilling Filipino workers.
He highlighted several programs and initiatives undertaken by the government to support the advancement of AI technology in enhancing the country's competitive advantages.
"Fostering a future-ready workforce is a collaborative effort that should be undertaken by both public and private stakeholders. Since these digitization efforts demand a shared responsibility, it is imperative that an alliance be formed that capitalizes on the strengths of both sectors. As the government employs a whole-of-society approach, we urge our partners from the local and global industry to work with us in ensuring an inclusive economic development," he told Silicon Valley stakeholders.
Roadmap for AI
In the meeting, Pascual presented the country's implementation of the AI roadmap, which is expected to drive innovation, create new products, and upskill the country's workforce.
He emphasized that the country's AI policies and technologies will augment labor rather than replace it, leading to increased hiring and the emergence of new tasks.
Pascual stressed that AI has the potential to promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable industrial development.
He underscored that the Philippines is positioning itself as a Center of Excellence in AI, with over 50 technology startups using AI and 83 percent of Southeast Asian countries actively developing strategies.
In addition, he emphasized that the country's National AI Strategy is focused on improving the lives of the population, boosting enterprise productivity, and enhancing economic competitiveness.
Moreover, the DTI chief presented four strategic dimensions for the implementation of this National AI strategy which include digitalization and infrastructure; workforce development; regulation, and research and development.
The strategy is aimed at maintaining local industries' regional and global competitiveness, identifying key areas for investment in research and development and technology, R&D collaboration, preparing the workforce for emerging jobs, and attracting major industries to create jobs in the Philippines.
The roundtable meeting was co-organized by the DTI with Thomas Pompidou, David DeWalt of NightDragon, and Manny Maceda of Bain & Company to foster potential collaboration and partnership between US firms and the Philippine government in exploring AI technologies through public and private partnerships.