Experts: PH has potential to be AI data center

Photo by Ramcez Villegas
Photo by Ramcez Villegas

EXPERTS are optimistic that thePhilippines has the potential to be a data center for artificial intelligence (AI) in the future.

“I think the Philippines have [a] very good position for this. I saw the government willing to support all the companies here,” Tau Leng, Super-micro Senior Vice President for Technology,, said in a press conference, Tuesday, March 14, at the Acacia Hotel.

Leng said should this happen, it will bring a positive impact on the economy of the Philippines.

“We are already supporting America and Europe prior to this innovation, now we are focusing in Southeast Asia. The Philippines is a growing country, that is why we are targeting to invest here to support local economies.” Leng added.

Meanwhile, Dr. Enrico C. Paringit, Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD) said they are developing programs on the use of AI in the country, prioritizing development for energy and utilities, innovative scientific technologies, and other sectors.

“In DOST, we’re always looking out for opportunities, for industries to come in and participate in the innovation ecosystem in the land,” Paringit said.

Paringit said that around P429 million worth of funding was allocated from 2018 to 2022 by the DOST for project proposals on AI. To date, 17 projects are being initiated.

By 2025, he said they will be needing a funding requirement worth P265 billion for AI projects.

Paringit added they had funded two AI-powered prototype vehicles made by University of the Philippines-Mindanao (UPMin) which can be used in maintaining banana plantations. The technology may also be further developed for detecting disasters and weather mapping.

Meanwhile, UPMin chancellor Lyre Anni Murao said they are ready to develop the workforce to support AI innovations in the Philippines.

“Us, coming from the academe, our job is to support (the DOST program). In particular, we are here to help develop the critical manpower that would be needed in the future for jobs related to AI,” Murao said.

Several scientists, especially those specializing in AI, presented the importance of AI and its current development during the first AI Pinas Research and Development Conference that happened at Acacia Hotel. Gilou de Baguio, DNSC Intern

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