DepEd welcomes launch of NAICRI, underscores responsible AI integration in basic education

Wazzup Pilipinas!? 





MANILA, 26 February 2026 — The Department of Education (DepEd) welcomed the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Innovation (NAICRI), led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to strengthen the country’s long-term AI ecosystem and support the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in basic education.



A key milestone in the implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Philippines (NAIS-PH), NAICRI serves as the country’s institutional platform for advancing AI research, shared computing infrastructure, and innovation translation across priority sectors.



For DepEd, the establishment of NAICRI complements ongoing reforms in workforce development, digital infrastructure, and responsible governance.

Education Secretary Sonny Angara said DepEd wants Filipino students to be ready for a future where AI is common, while still making sure it is used in a safe, fair, and responsible way.



“Education must be both protected and future-ready,” Secretary Angara noted. “We will harness AI to close learning gaps, strengthen governance, and empower teachers—but always with safeguards, transparency, and human oversight.”



Even before the launch of NAICRI, DepEd has been institutionalizing AI integration across three key pillars: AI in Education, Education on AI, and AI for Education Systems, anchored on learner protection and human-centered innovation.



Among the Department’s major AI-driven initiatives are:

· Project TALINO – A digital mapping system providing real-time insights into school needs, strengthening data-informed planning and private sector engagement.

· Project DUNONG – Automating the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads to improve efficiency and accuracy in leadership selection.

· Project SALIKSEEK – A generative AI-powered quick-response tool that enables DepEd personnel to access structured education data within seconds.



To ensure guardrails are firmly in place, DepEd issued the Foundational Guidelines on the Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Basic Education, establishing a national framework that promotes ethical, inclusive, and risk-proportionate AI use in schools.



The policy adopts a risk-based classification system aligned with global standards, explicitly prohibiting high-risk uses such as social scoring, manipulative chatbots for minors, and biometric emotion recognition.



It mandates Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs), the establishment of a DepEd AI Registry, and strict compliance with data privacy and child protection laws prior to any AI deployment.



As NAICRI takes its place as the Philippines’ institutional AI hub, DepEd reaffirmed that basic education will help shape an AI-ready generation—critical thinkers, ethical users, and future innovators.

About "WazzupPilipinas.com"

WazzupPilipinas.com is the fastest growing and most awarded blog and social media community that has transcended beyond online media. It has successfully collaborated with all forms of media namely print, radio and television making it the most diverse multimedia organization. The numerous collaborations with hundreds of brands and organizations as online media partner and brand ambassador makes WazzupPilipinas.com a truly successful advocate of everything about the Philippines, and even more since its support extends further to even international organizations including startups and SMEs that have made our country their second home.