THE Philippine education sector must accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies into its curriculum to ensure Filipino graduates remain competitive in an increasingly digital economy, according to a Davao-based business leader.
Speaking during Wednesday's Habi at Kape media forum on August 5, 2026, ahead of the 18th National ICT Confederation of the Philippines (NICP) National ICT Summit in Tagum City, Davao del Norte on August 12 to 14, ICT Davao Inc. President Belinda Torres called on the Philippine education sector to modernize its curriculum by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies to ensure Filipino graduates remain globally competitive.
"Our curricula in the academe are five years behind, when in fact, what we need today should be looking three to five years ahead," Torres said, emphasizing the need for schools to adopt micro-credentialing, continuous upskilling, and future-focused learning pathways.
She warned that the rise of AI is transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, particularly the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) sector, making workforce reskilling an urgent priority.
Torres stressed that the government, educational institutions, and the private sector must work together to craft policies and training programs that will prepare Filipinos for jobs being reshaped by automation and AI.
"The jobs that we have now might not be the jobs that we have in the very near future," she said. "The industry, the academe, and the government should work together to come up with policies and ensure that workers remain relevant."
She also cited Republic Act No. 12231, saying government initiatives aimed at addressing changes in employment brought about by technological advancement should be complemented by stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
NICP summit to focus on AI-driven transformation
Organized by the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, the annual gathering carries the theme "Beyond Borders: Advancing AI-Driven Digital Transformation in Governance, Talent, and Innovation." The summit will bring together national and local government officials, ICT councils, industry leaders, startups, academe, investors, and development partners to discuss digital governance, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, startup development, workforce readiness, and innovation-driven economic growth. The event will also feature policy discussions, technology showcases, talent development forums, and the NICP eGov Awards recognizing excellence in digital governance.
AI hackathon eyed to develop local solutions
Beyond the national summit, ICT Davao Inc. is set to organize an AI Hackathon in November this year that will encourage developers, students, startups, and innovators to build AI-powered solutions addressing local challenges.
Among the priority areas identified are disaster risk reduction and climate resilience, digital taxation systems for local governments, and other public service applications that can improve governance and emergency preparedness.
Torres said the initiative will also leverage Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) to help promising concepts mature into scalable technologies and commercially viable solutions.
"We hope to allow solutions that will mitigate particular events and start applications that can eventually be incubated by our Technology Business Incubators," she said.
Blueprint positions Davao as digital hub
Torres likewise unveiled ICT Davao's Strategic Blueprint 2026–2030, which aims to position the Davao Region as the country's next hub for digital manufacturing and business continuity.
The roadmap seeks to strengthen collaboration among government agencies, industry players, academe, and regional partners through the BIMT framework and the Digital Alliance, enabling Davao to expand partnerships beyond Mindanao and the Philippines and pursue greater regional connectivity, innovation, and investment.
She said adapting to AI requires a shift in mindset, noting that technological changes are occurring so rapidly that today's skills may become outdated within a few years.
"As the landscape continues to evolve, our mindset should evolve with it. We need to ensure that government, industry, and academe move together so Filipinos will not only adapt to these changes but thrive in the digital economy," Torres said. DEF
