The future of work is arriving faster than many imagined. For students today, it means the jobs they will take on in the next decade could look nothing like the ones their parents grew up with. At the launch of Mapúa Education Group’s Co-Intelligence Strategy last September 17 at their Makati campus, experts and educators came together to talk about how artificial intelligence is reshaping classrooms, workplaces, and opportunities for young Filipinos.

The highlight of the event was the unveiling of the country’s first Bachelor of Science in AI Engineering at Mapúa University. The degree is designed to prepare students for careers that blend technical expertise with ethical responsibility. Courses will tackle robotics, natural language processing, and machine learning, while also encouraging projects that address local challenges—from disaster response systems to agricultural yield optimization.

Arnold Paglinawan, dean of the School of Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering, said the vision goes beyond creating specialists. “It is the first dedicated AI engineering degree in the Philippines. It is designed with reference to the Philippine Skills Framework for Analytics and AI to address the growing demands for AI engineers across sectors,” Arnold said. He added that projects in the pipeline could focus on healthcare diagnostics for underserved areas and language processing tools for local dialects.

For him, it’s about shaping a generation ready to lead. “With a century of engineering excellence and decades of computing expertise behind it, Mapúa University is not simply opening a new degree program. It is building the future of AI engineering in the Philippines—one student at a time. The future belongs to those who prepare for it today. Join us in building tomorrow,” Arnold declared.

The Co-Intelligence Strategy itself stretches across Mapúa’s network of schools. In Mindanao, students use MyPÚA, a digital reviewer that generates practice exams and analyzes results. At the Laguna campus, the PathBuilder system personalizes study paths to fit a student’s strengths and goals. Online learners at Malayan Digital College have the Learner’s Assistant, an AI-powered helper available 24/7.

Dodjie Maestrecampo, Mapúa president and CEO, said the push for integration was inevitable. “AI is no longer optional. It is reshaping industries, redefining skills, and reimagining learning. This is why today we are formally launching the Mapúa Education Group's Co-Intelligence Strategy,” Dodjie explained. “In this, we will learn with AI using AI tools to enhance teaching and learning; we will learn about AI, embedding AI literacy and critical thinking skills across every program; and we will work with AI, equipping our faculty members, staff, and professionals with AI tools to use in teaching, research, and operations.”

For Rowena Subido, head of RCBC’s human resources group, the implications for young Filipinos are clear. “A major proportion of the Philippine workforce will experience a shift in skills for their role. As a result of AI, 52% of professionals in the Philippines are in roles that will likely be disrupted or augmented by AI,” Rowena said.

Her advice to students was straightforward: don’t wait for the future to catch up to you. “AI will only replace your job if you do not have skills. If you do not have the skills, then upskill, reskill, and retool—those are the key things,” she said.

She also welcomed the arrival of the new degree program. “There are new jobs, new titles, and new skills that we need to develop [because of AI]. That's why I'm very happy to really hear about the BS AI Engineering course because that would help the corporations identify the right talent rather than the corporations training them. At least the schools, like Mapúa, will be able to prepare accurately and patiently,” she added.

For students and families, the message is both exciting and sobering: many of tomorrow’s jobs don’t exist yet, but the skills needed to seize them can be learned today. And for a generation growing up in a country known for creativity and resilience, this might be the edge that allows them not just to adapt to change—but to lead it.