MANILA — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Philippines is fast-tracking the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in government operations to keep pace with global digital transformation, warning that hesitation could leave the country behind.
“You’re missing a chance if you wait. AI is going to come — parang alon ‘yan. Kahit anong gawin mo, mababasa ka,” Marcos told reporters after the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea. “And if you don’t learn how to swim, maiiwanan ka talaga,” he added.
Marcos said the government has begun coordinating with international experts and local research institutions to identify areas where AI can enhance public service delivery, efficiency, and data management. He emphasized that adoption must come with “safeguards on ethics, data privacy, and accountability.”
The President said AI was a central theme during the APEC plenary and bilateral meetings, where world leaders agreed that technological advancements are evolving too rapidly for governments to delay adaptation.
“What AI can do one month ago is different from what AI will be able to do one month from now,” he said. “It’s such a powerful tool, and you must take advantage of it as quickly as possible.”
Marcos noted that the Philippine AI strategy would not only focus on deploying new technologies but also on crafting policies that ensure public trust and equal access to digital opportunities.
The Gyeongju summit concluded with the adoption of the APEC AI Initiative under the Gyeongju Declaration, which urges member economies to build safe, inclusive, and human-centered AI systems./PN
