Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills will be brought to the forefront of the Department of Education’s (DepEd) flagship co-curricular activities this May.

According to DepEd on Wednesday, the National Schools Press Conference (NSPC) and National Festival of Talents (NFOT), which will be held in the Ilocos Region, will have contests and workshops that feature artificial intelligence (AI), digital tools, and media literacy, in line with its theme “Empowering Filipino Youth: Unleashing Potentials in Journalism and Creative Industries in the Era of Artificial Intelligence (AI).”

The NSPC, which will gather over 3,300 campus journalists and coaches, will feature sessions on mobile journalism, AI in journalism, and media and information literacy, alongside traditional news writing, editorial writing, sports writing, and photojournalism, among others.

The NFOT, on the other hand, will bring around 2,200 students from disciplines spanning cooking, theater, industrial arts, and STEM. Teacher training sessions will focus on guiding students through shifting digital and cultural environments.

The NSPC and NFOT will run from 19 to 23 May in Ilocos Sur.

Meanwhile, the 65th Palarong Pambansa will take place from 24 to 31 May in Ilocos Norte.

The competition will include 24 regular sports along with demonstration matches in kickboxing, futsal for girls, and traditional Filipino games under the Palaro ng Lahi segment.

A separate category for athletes with disabilities will also be held, featuring para-athletics, goalball, and other adapted events. Over 1,700 medals will be awarded during the week-long games.