President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. reminded Filipino students to use artificial intelligence (AI) to support learning, but not as a replacement for creativity, discipline, and the drive to learn.
His remarks came Friday during the launch of Project AGAP.AI, the government’s nationwide AI program for basic education, initiated by the Department of Education (DepEd) and the ASEAN Foundation.
“I have to say, I am a little bit jealous… I really fervently wish we had this when the time that I was still in school because you have in your hands an extraordinarily powerful tool,” Marcos said.
“But you must use it to help you think and support your learning. It should never replace your drive, your creativity, and grit to learn about our world,” he added.
The President stressed that while AI can enhance learning, it cannot replace discipline, effort, or hard work.
“Technology cannot replace discipline. It cannot replace effort. It cannot replace the habit of showing up prepared and ready to learn. It cannot replace hard work,” he said.
“That is how we build a Bagong Pilipinas, one that is enabled by technology and powered by Filipinos who choose to learn, to work and to aspire for a better future for all,” Marcos added.
Project AGAP.AI, short for Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence, aims to integrate AI into the basic education system while promoting responsible technological use.
The program will provide AI skills training for up to 1.5 million Filipinos, including learners, teachers, and parents, covering responsible AI use, misinformation detection, privacy, security, and AI literacy.
The DepEd will pilot AI-powered tools in classrooms and school operations while ensuring fairness and data privacy.
Marcos said partnerships with institutions like MIT Responsible AI for Social Empowerment and Education will strengthen AI literacy, computational thinking, and digital innovation skills.
The launch at Quezon City Science High School included the donation of two Starlink satellite internet units and one Smartboard interactive touchscreen from the Office of the President.
Marcos emphasized that investments in AI research and infrastructure will future-proof the economy and ensure ethical, responsible use of technology.