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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DepEd promotes safe, responsible AI in Philippine schools with NAICRI launch

DepEd promotes safe, responsible AI in Philippine schools with NAICRI launch

Published Feb 26, 2026 02:41 pm
Government, academic, and industry leaders gather in Manila as NAICRI officially opens, signaling a major step forward for the Philippines’ National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. (DepEd photo)
Government, academic, and industry leaders gather in Manila as NAICRI officially opens, signaling a major step forward for the Philippines’ National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. (DepEd photo)
The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday, February 26, welcomed the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Innovation (NAICRI) — a major initiative by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem.
DepEd said the move aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to advance AI research while ensuring its responsible integration into basic education.
As part of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS-PH), NAICRI will serve as the country’s central platform for AI research, shared computing infrastructure, and innovation across priority sectors.
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara joins DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. and key leaders to launch the National Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Innovation (NAICRI) in Manila, advancing the country’s AI ecosystem under NAIS-PH. (DepEd photo)
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara joins DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. and key leaders to launch the National Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Innovation (NAICRI) in Manila, advancing the country’s AI ecosystem under NAIS-PH. (DepEd photo)
For DepEd, the new center complements ongoing efforts in digital infrastructure, workforce development, and ethical governance in education.
“Education must be both protected and future-ready,” DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara said. “We will harness AI to close learning gaps, strengthen governance, and empower teachers — but always with safeguards, transparency, and human oversight.”
DepEd’s AI integration framework
Even before NAICRI’s launch, DepEd has been implementing AI initiatives along three key pillars: AI in Education, Education on AI, and AI for Education Systems, all focused on learner protection and human-centered innovation.
Key programs include Project TALINO which is a digital mapping system providing real-time insights into school needs to guide planning and private sector engagement; Project DUNONG which automates the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads, improving efficiency and accuracy in leadership selection; and Project SALIKSEEK, a generative AI tool that enables DepEd personnel to access structured education data in seconds.
Safeguards and responsible AI use
To ensure AI is used ethically in schools, DepEd issued the Foundational Guidelines on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Basic Education, creating a national framework for inclusive, safe, and risk-proportionate AI use.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2026/02/26/deped-sets-ai-rules-for-schools-puts-teachers-and-learners-at-the-center
The guidelines prohibit high-risk applications, such as social scoring, manipulative chatbots for minors, and biometric emotion recognition.
They also require Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), the establishment of a DepEd AI Registry, and strict compliance with data privacy and child protection laws before deploying AI solutions.
With NAICRI serving as the Philippines’ institutional AI hub, DepEd reaffirmed its commitment to preparing students for an AI-driven future — producing ethical, critical-thinking learners and future innovators. 

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