PSAC pushes AI school courses

The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC)–Jobs and Education Sector is urging the immediate rollout of a National AI Upskilling Roadmap in schools to keep up with global trends.

The PSAC stated on Friday that the roadmap should be implemented in collaboration with the Commission on Higher Education, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, and the Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines.

The program will provide access to AI education, from basic digital skills to advanced training, and will support the Department of Science and Technology’s National AI Strategy. It will also be part of the Second Congressional Commission on Education’s (EDCOM 2) National Education and Workforce Development Plan. Turn to page 10

“The AI tsunami is no longer coming; it is already here. And in a country where millions risk being left behind by automation, misinformation, and digital exclusion, the National AI Upskilling Roadmap is an urgent necessity,” PSAC Education and Jobs Committee co-lead Fred Ayala said.

Surviving AI-driven world

“This is about empowering every Filipino, regardless of age or background, with the skills and confidence to survive, thrive, and lead in an AI-driven world. We cannot afford to wait,” he added.

PSAC also recommended the issuance of an Executive Order establishing a Cabinet Cluster for Education, comprising DepEd, CHED, and TESDA, to ensure better coordination in implementing EDCOM 2’s reforms.

The proposal aligns with the concurrent resolution passed by Congress last 11 June.

“Our goal is simple: create real opportunities for Filipinos to thrive in a fast-changing world,” Sabin Aboitiz, PSAC Strategic Lead Convenor and Aboitiz Group President and CEO, said.

“Through stronger collaboration between the private sector and government, we can turn our shared vision into action.”

To support industrial development, PSAC also advocated for a “One-Stop Shop” involving the Anti-Red Tape Authority and the Department of Trade and Industry, along with other relevant agencies, to resolve regulatory issues in sectors such as semiconductors, electronics, and smart manufacturing.

PSAC also cited ongoing programs, such as the SM J.O.B.S. initiative with DOLE, which reached over 32,000 job seekers and hired nearly 5,000 during nationwide job fairs. It reported that the enhanced Senior High School work immersion program will roll out nationwide in SY 2025–2026 after a successful mini-pilot with a 96 percent completion rate.

Meanwhile, the Digital Leadership Training Program for civil servants is being expanded to reach 50,000 learners by 2027 through DICT, the Civil Service Institute, and private sector partners.