SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Sunday hailed the proposed establishment of the National Center for AI Research under the recently launched artificial intelligence roadmap.

To support workforce development, Gatchalian said the senior high school education in the country should equip learners with foundational skills needed for the Fourth Industrial Revolution or the Industry 4.0.

Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez said the proposed private-led N-CAIR will serve as a shared hub for research and advance scientific discoveries. It also aims to develop AI talent and data science leaders.

Based on 2020 estimates by research firms EDBI and Kearney, AI is expected to boost Southeast Asia’s gross domestic product by up to $1 trillion by 2030.

In the Philippines, AI’s economic impact could lead to a 12 percent GDP growth, which is equivalent to $92 billion.

In 2017, worldwide management consulting firm McKinsey & Company estimated that up to 48 percent of work activities performed in the Philippines could be automated.

Considering these projections, Gatchalian emphasized that the task of the education sector is to ensure that learners acquire skills that would not be obsolete because of the rise of AI.

He also raised the importance of having highly qualified teachers who will equip learners with the competencies required of future AI talents.

The lawmaker also cited the need to ensure that the basic education sector has the infrastructure to support the rollout of the AI’s roadmap, a move that can be achieved through the Public Education Network.

“Dahil sa inaasahang papel ng artificial intelligence sa pag-unlad ng ating bansa, kailangang siguruhin natin na ang kakayahan ng ating mga kabataan ay tugma sa mga pangangailangan ng ating bansa para sa hinaharap. Mahalagang simulan natin ang paghahandang ito sa antas pa lamang ng senior high school upang maging matibay at malalim ang pundasyon ng kanilang kaalaman at kakayahan,” Gatchalian said.