PBBM Leads Launch of DepEd’s AGAP.AI Program for Basic Education

PBBM Launches DEPED's AI Initiative

Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. formally launched the Department of Education’s (DepEd) Artificial Intelligence initiative for basic education, Project Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence (AGAP.AI), marking a major step toward integrating AI literacy, training, and ethical use into Philippine schools.

The launch was held at Quezon City Science High School, led by President Marcos alongside DepEd Secretary Sonny M. Angara and Quezon City Mayor Joy G. Belmonte.

“This means that students will learn how AI works, teachers can learn how to integrate AI into their lessons, and parents can guide their children in using AI safely and wisely at home,” President Marcos said.

The President described AGAP.AI, pronounced as “agapay,” as a program designed to support learners and bridge the gap between technology and education.

“As we hit the ground running in 2026, we start a new era in our educational system and in the way that we train our young people,” Marcos said.

During the event, the President and education officials visited exhibition booths of DepEd’s local and international technology partners showcasing AI-powered education tools and innovations.

The Office of the President also donated two units of Starlink satellite internet service and one Smartboard interactive touchscreen to Quezon City Science High School to help strengthen digital access and classroom technology.

President Marcos emphasized that the education sector now carries the responsibility of ensuring that students use AI confidently, ethically, and responsibly so they can remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital world.

DepEd, through consultations with students, parents, teachers, AI experts, and education partners, is currently developing the Foundational Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence in Basic Education, which will serve as the country’s first national framework for ethical and responsible AI use in schools.

With support from the ASEAN Foundation and Google.org, DepEd will implement a nationwide AI skills training program expected to reach up to 1.5 million Filipinos, including learners, teachers, and parents.

Training modules will focus on:

• Responsible AI use

• Detecting misinformation

• Privacy and security

• AI literacy and foundational concepts

“We are also investing heavily in our teachers. Through AI-focused training modules, educators will be equipped to teach AI responsibly and creatively, while keeping up with emerging technologies,” President Marcos said.

DepEd will also pilot AI-powered tools and platforms to improve classroom instruction, school operations, and data-driven decision-making, while ensuring fairness and data privacy.

Beyond policy and training, DepEd continues to collaborate with local and international partners to embed AI into the core of basic education.

The agency is working closely with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education, and Day of AI to integrate AI concepts into the curriculum, strengthening learners’ AI literacy, computational thinking, and digital innovation skills.

“All of these initiatives will ensure that AI in education prepares our institutions to keep pace with technology and that every Filipino benefits from these new technologies,” President Marcos said.

— News AI PH | Source: PND