The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, April 16, said it will utilize an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to guide the allocation of its P1-billion investment in Library Hubs.

In a statement, the agency said that by using an AI tool, it will ensure the program will reach schools and learners who need the library hubs the most.

The department said the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), its AI and innovation hub, developed a resource allocation tool that pinpoints schools where learners need to improve reading proficiency, enabling the strategic placement of Library Hubs funded under the 2026 Basic Education Facilities Fund (BEFF).

DepEd noted that the initiative supports its five-point agenda, which focuses on closing the country’s literacy gaps through data-driven reforms.

According to DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara, data-driven policymaking plays a key role in shaping the education reforms they aim to implement.

“Initiatives like this demonstrate how data science can help DepEd make smarter investments—ensuring that resources reach the schools and learners that need them the most," he said.

The education department said the project was developed following findings by the Second Congressional Commission on Education, pointing to the need for fair and equitable distribution of resources.

“By crunching national education and administrative datasets, the algorithm identifies candidate schools based on learning needs, expected utilization, and equity considerations,” said DepEd.

Per the agency, such a move departs from traditional and often arbitrary allocation methods that have historically slowed down literacy improvements in the regions.

DepEd Undersecretary for Learning Systems Strand Carmela Oracion said that school libraries and library hubs are critical platforms for fostering a national reading culture.

"By working with ECAIR to incorporate data into planning and prioritization, we can ensure that our investments better support learners in our schools," she stated.

Dr. Erika Legara, ECAIR managing director and chief AI and data officer, explained that the “education systems generate vast amounts of data, but the challenge is turning that data into actionable insights.”

She underscored that such technology ensures large-scale public investments will deliver the greatest learning impact possible.

The agency said DepEd library hubs serve as warehouse libraries that provide public schools with easy access to a vast collection of high-quality supplementary reading materials to improve functional literacy.

“These hubs act as central repositories where public school teachers can borrow books and educational resources in bulk for their students, typically for 25 to 30 days,” it stated.