DepEd Just Flexed Filipino-Made AI Systems at a Global Summit in India — And the World Took Notice
The Department of Education went to India and showed the world what Filipino AI can do. At the AI Impact Summit held at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Centre in New Delhi from February 16 to 21, DepEd presented its national framework for scaling artificial intelligence across the Philippines' public school system — serving over 24 million learners.
Through its Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), DepEd showcased two standout AI systems: SIGLA, which automates school health monitoring and saves an estimated 60,000 hours annually for around 34,000 teachers; and SABAY, an AI-powered digital triage system that extends specialist academic support to roughly 48,000 public schools, particularly for early-grade learners.
Education Secretary Sonny Angara said the department is focused on 'building AI that strengthens public institutions, protects our learners, and delivers measurable results at scale.' ECAIR Lead Elmo Domino Jose put it plainly: 'Even a one percent gain in efficiency has a massive impact' in a system as vast as the Philippines'.
The Philippines was one of only six countries selected for the AI Observatory's Ministry of Education AI Challenge — and notably the only one from Southeast Asia. The initiative is backed by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, highlighting growing international confidence in the Philippines' approach to educational AI.
DepEd's four-pillar framework focuses on technical readiness, institutional ownership, governance mechanisms, and transparent implementation. It's a far cry from the usual 'pilot project' approach — DepEd is going all-in on making AI a permanent part of how Filipino schools operate. Hindi na experiment lang — this is the real deal.
Source: GMA News
