To accelerate its national technology goals, the Philippines is leveraging its strategic partnership with the European Union to close key infrastructure and talent gaps in artificial intelligence research and innovation.
Through the recently convened EU-PH Advancing Research and Innovation on Artificial Intelligence Mission, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the EU are targeting critical growth areas: AI infrastructure, digital transformation, industry collaboration and talent development. Central to this effort is a €10-million (P704-million) AI top-up initiative under the EU-PH Digital Economy Package, designed to reinforce policy, governance and capacity building.
The expansion comes as local officials confront persistent bottlenecks in the country’s tech ecosystem, including limited advanced computing power, uneven regional access, a shortage of specialized talent and fragmented government data. Assistant Secretary Rodolfo J. Calzado Jr. pointed out that European support could help bridge these gaps and bolster local initiatives like the Geospatial Analytics and Technology Solutions (GATES) Program and ACABAI-PH.
“Not everyone is investing in these technologies. But these are essential for us to be able to move towards the future,” Calzado said.
The European push directly complements the National AI Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS PH) and the DOST-led National AI Center for Research and Innovation (NAICRI).
“NAICRI is a national coordination mechanism that aligns infrastructure with policy, research with commercialization, talent development with economic demand and innovation with inclusive growth,” DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. said.
Solidum emphasized that combining European expertise with the country’s “dynamic talent pool, growing digital economy, and innovation ecosystem” allows both sides to “co-create solutions that address shared priorities” across climate action, health, agriculture, manufacturing, education, and smart communities.
“The EU’s leadership in responsible and human-centric AI, cutting-edge research, and innovation offers valuable opportunities for collaboration,” Solidum said. “More than advancing AI as a field of research, our goal is to strengthen the institutions, capabilities and partnerships needed for trusted AI to create meaningful impact across society.”
Echoing this vision, EU Ambassador to the Philippines Massimo Santoro noted that “AI is shaping our future,” highlighting the EU Global Gateway initiative as a key driver of bilateral tech cooperation. As part of the mission, EU delegates toured strategic local hubs, including the VITRO Data Center in Sta. Rosa, Aboitiz Data Innovation in Makati, De La Salle University Laguna’s KIST Park and the DOST-ASTI Electronic Products Development Center in Taguig.