Manila: The Department of Education (DepEd) on Tuesday reported ‘significant progress’ in its use of artificial intelligence (AI) under the Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR). This followed the release of ECAIR’s midyear report, which highlighted improvements in several digital tools, including Project TALINO, Project DUNONG, and Project SALIKSEEK.

According to Philippines News Agency, Education Secretary Sonny Angara stated that AI has helped the agency enhance transparency by setting up a data-driven system. ‘Hindi lamang ito tungkol sa teknolohiya, kundi sa pagtutuwid ng ating sistema (This is not just about technology, but also reforming the system),’ he said. ‘Kapag malinaw ang datos, mabilis ang tugon at patas ang alokasyon, mas tumitibay ang tiwala ng mga guro, magulang at mag-aaral sa DepEd (When there’s clear data, immediate response, and equal allocation, the trust of teachers, parents, and learners in DepEd grows stronger).’

The report detailed that the first phase of Project TALINO, a digital mapping system for real-time school needs, has been completed and turned over to the Adopt-A-School Secretariat. The platform shows real-time gaps in classrooms, electrification, and learning facilities, particularly in far-flung areas, and includes an integrated pledge automation tool for potential private sector partners.

Meanwhile, Project DUNONG has automated the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads, speeding up result release, lowering outsourcing costs, improving accuracy, and generating data dashboards on the competency gaps of aspiring school heads. It has since been turned over to the Bureau of Human Resource and Organizational Development.

The report also noted that Project SALIKSEEK, a GenAI-powered quick response tool, has reduced the retrieval time for education data inquiries from days or weeks to just seconds.

Moving forward, the DepEd said it plans to introduce more AI tools, including Project SIGLA, which will enhance screening and interventions for stunted and underweight learners, and Project SABAY, which will support students with dyslexia and speech sound disorders. The pilot rollout of these projects is set for the second semester of 2025.

The DepEd is likewise preparing to launch Project LIGTAS, a multi-hazard analytics platform designed to assess school resilience against disasters. By the end of 2025, it aims to turn over a prototype geospatial dashboard of Project LIGTAS to the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service.