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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Trade & Industry devider DTI, Japanese firm forge ties to bolster AI

DTI, Japanese firm forge ties to bolster AI

Published Mar 31, 2024 02:32 pm

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) forged a partnership with Japan-based artificial intelligence (AI) development company rinna Co. Ltd. to bolster the development of AI in the country, aligned with the government's National AI Strategic Roadmap. 

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed by DTI Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG)  Rafaelita M. Aldaba, DTI Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut, rinna Global Business Director Alex T. Lagata Jr. and rinna Philippines Lead Aston Santos at the Board of Investment (BOI) building in Makati City on March 22.

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(From L to R: DTI Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut, DTIUndersecretary Rafaelita M. Aldaba, rinna Global Business Director Alex T. Lagata Jr., rinna PH Lead Aston Santos)

In a statement, Aldaba stressed that the partnership will endeavor to promote AI adoption, entice innovation, and drive growth in trade and industry. 

"Through our collaboration with rinna AI, we're not only pioneering innovative solutions but also investing in the future by training the next generation of Filipino AI developers. At the heart of our partnership is the development of AI skills and making them more accessible to young people from diverse backgrounds, which is a key component of our nation's strategic vision for the future, as encapsulated in the National AI Roadmap,” said Aldaba. 

rinna specializes in research and development (R&D) of generative AI models for text, voice, images, and video, along with data analysis, catered to the Asian market. Through their expertise, DTI shared that it aims to develop the domestic AI ecosystem, including deepening Filipinos’ understanding and utilization of AI, and expanding AI technologies and experts in the Philippines. 

In order to have an AI-trained workforce, the agency and the company will launch AICademy, which will allow AI systems to be integrated in academic institutions’ curricula. 

Moreover, DTI said the partnership is expected to “provide valuable insights as the country formulates its National AI Governance Framework, integrating AI solutions across sectors such as manufacturing, social services, and agriculture, which can improve productivity and enhance competitiveness.” 

The DTI cited a report from technology solutions company PwC, stating that AI can “contribute $15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030, and over $92 billion to the Philippines.”

To truly facilitate these projections, the National AI Strategic Roadmap aims to integrate AI to improve the Philippine economy's regional and global competitiveness, enhance R&D for AI technologies, and position the country in the international AI landscape.

With its four pillars including workforce development, digitization and infrastructure, R&D, and regulation, the roadmap mandates the creation of a National Center for AI Research (NCAIR) comprising of scientists and research engineers to assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the country in using AI technology. 

 

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