As their contribution to improving the country’s education system, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Tuesday donated 10 high-powered laptops to the Department of Education (DepEd).

The initiative supports the two departments' collaboration to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) development into the Philippine education environment and to back DepEd's efforts in building cutting-edge AI capabilities. It also aims to equip learners and educators with AI-powered tools, demonstrating a whole-of-government approach to advancing educational technology.

“More than a simple donation, this embodies sharing the government's limited resources for optimum use, with a strong emphasis on achieving our common goals. This is an investment in our country’s future, a commitment to innovation, a push for progress, and a testament to the power of interagency collaboration,” said Trade Secretary Cristina Roque during the ceremonial donation at the DTI head office in Makati City.

She also reaffirmed the DTI’s continued commitment to fostering globally competitive and resilient industries by collaborating with other government agencies to equip the Filipino workforce with future-ready skills.

“The DTI stands firmly with our partners in education and workforce development in cultivating globally competitive Filipino talent. Through this partnership, we are advancing human capital by integrating digital tools into our education system — bringing meaningful improvements to our schools and communities that will ultimately uplift our local industries,” emphasized the trade chief.

“Building upon this foundation, our vision extends to harnessing the power of AI to address real-world challenges, particularly those faced by our micro, small, and medium enterprises. As we recalibrate our strategy, we will continue to explore the latest AI applications to further empower local businesses and drive innovation across all our industries,” she added.

The donated high-powered laptops, procured through the Tatak Pinoy Strategy Program, will aid in the full transfer and operationalization of the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR) system from the DTI to DepEd.

By June 2025, the E-CAIR is expected to deploy high-impact digital tools focused on improving operational efficiency, optimizing resource allocation, enhancing data-driven policymaking, and strengthening student support systems.

Under President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s Bagong Pilipinas agenda, this partnership aims to foster an innovative mindset among students and equip them with the skill sets needed for Philippine industries to thrive globally.