The government and the private sector have partnered as part of an upskilling initiative to help expand artificial intelligence (AI) literacy nationwide and prepare Filipino workers for an AI-powered future.

The initiative was finalized during President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s meeting with the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) – Education and Jobs Sector Group on Wednesday.

Presidential Communications Office Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said the PSAC presented a detailed plan for an “enterprise-based education” and AI training that aims to boost AI literacy and prepare young Filipinos for the demands of an increasingly AI-driven global economy.

Aside from “artificial intelligence upscaling” for students, the President and members of the PSAC also discussed the Philippine labor market, the semiconductor industry, and education.

“Makakatulong ang upscaling initiative gamit ang AI upang mapalawig ang AI literacy sa bansa,” Castro said in a press briefing on Thursday.

“Ihahanda rin ang mga empleyado para sa isang AI-powered future at palalakasin ang kapasidad ng bansa hindi lang sa paggamit kung hindi sa paggawa ng AI systems,” Castro added.

Castro said the private sector will also expand the early immersion of students in professional environments.

“Bukod sa upscaling, paiigtingin din ang student work immersion para maagang exposure ng kabataan sa professional work environment. Katuwang ang private sector, patuloy lang ang trabaho at aksyon ng pamahalaan para makamit ang development at economic goals ng bansa,” Castro said.

Castro said the PSAC recently held nationwide job fairs that resulted in significant employment opportunities: 2,285 on-the-spot hires during 20 simultaneous job fairs on Labor Day, and another 2,372 on-the-spot hires from 28 job fairs held on Independence Day. | PND