THE GOVERNMENT is ramping up efforts to boost job creation, student upskilling, and artificial intelligence (AI) integration in education.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. convened the Private Sector Advisory Council-Education and Jobs Sector Group (PSAC) in Malacañang on Wednesday to align strategies aimed at accelerating the country’s economic goals through workforce development and AI integration, according to Palace Press Officer Claire Castro.

Castro, in a press briefing at the Palace Thursday, said discussions focused on strengthening the Philippine labor market, developing the semiconductor industry, and preparing the workforce for an AI-driven future.

“Makakatulong ang upscaling initiative gamit ang AI upang mapalawig ang AI literacy sa bansa. Ihahanda rin ang mga empleyado para sa isang AI-powered future at palalakasin ang kapasidad ng bansa hindi lang sa paggamit kung hindi sa paggawa ng AI systems (The AI upscaling initiative will help expand AI literacy in the country. It will also prepare employees for an AI-powered future and strengthen the country’s capacity not just in using but also in creating AI systems),” she said.

The PSAC reported that job fairs held during Labor Day and Independence Day led to a combined 4,657 on-the-spot hires.

The council also presented a detailed plan for enterprise-based education and AI training to ensure Filipino youth are future-ready.

The government will also intensify student work immersion programs to expose young learners to real-world work environments early on.

“Katuwang ang private sector, patuloy lang ang trabaho at aksiyon ng pamahalaan para makamit ang development at economic goals ng bansa (With the private sector as partner, the government continues its work and action to achieve the country’s development and economic goals),” Castro said. (PNA)