SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian is urging the Department of Education to improve its proficiency in artificial intelligence (AI) to better prepare learners for the jobs of the future.

Gatchalian pointed to a finding from the 2023 World Economic Forum Report, which revealed that 60% of surveyed Filipino companies identified proficiency in AI and big data as their priority for upskilling and reskilling over the next five years.

“The jobs of the future will demand AI proficiency, and our learners must be ready. Ang mga trabahong darating ay nangangailangan ng bagong kasanayan—at kung hindi natin ihahanda ang ating mga mag-aaral ngayon, maaaring mahuli tayo sa takbo ng pandaigdigang ekonomiya,” Gatchalian said during the launch of the Education Center for AI Research (E-CAIR).

“AI must be integrated to create innovative solutions, policy interventions, and strategic approaches that ensure an enabling learning environment, support for teachers, well-being of learners, efficient learning delivery in all its forms, and a future-ready workforce,” Gatchalian added.

However, he stressed the need to bridge the digital divide so AI in education can become a tool for inclusion, not exclusion.

As of May 2023, only 63% of elementary schools, 71% of junior high schools, and 68% of senior high schools under DepEd have internet connectivity.

Data from the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment also showed that six out of ten Filipino learners attend schools where principals reported a lack of digital resources, including desktop or laptop computers, internet access, learning management systems, or school platforms.

To address these challenges, Gatchalian filed the Digital Transformation in Basic Education Act (Senate Bill No. 383).

Under the proposed measure, DepEd, in collaboration with the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the Department of Science and Technology, will work to ensure the adoption of digital technology for the continuous delivery and transformation of basic education.