2 days ago
AI Institute under TESDA eyed in Albay
An Artificial Intelligence (AI) Institute under the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is expected to be launched in Albay by October, Albay Representative Adrian Salceda said Friday.
Salceda said the AI Readiness Institute, which was discussed in a meeting between him and TESDA chief Francisco Benitez, will equip workers, students, and entrepreneurs with skills 'needed to thrive in an economy increasingly shaped by AI.'
'The program is expected to be offered before October. It will initially focus on the province's large virtual assistant workforce, many of whom are based in the third district, and will cover TESDA assessment fees for its free online programs to ensure certifications remain accessible,' he said.
'Gusto ko po mauna tayo dito sa Albay kasi marami po tayong virtual assistants na magbebenepisyo dito. Marami din pong mga estudyante ang interesado,' Salceda added.
(We want Albay to first get a piece of it because we have a lot of virtual assistants who will benefit from this. A lot of students are also interested.)
Over time, Salceda said the AI institute will branch out into AI applications in agriculture, the delivery of government services, public safety and disaster response, and basic health services.
In the same meeting, Salceda and Benitez discussed measures to boost rice productivity in Albay's third district such as targeted farmer training, the introduction of AI-assisted crop management tools, and expanded access to TESDA's agri mechanization and precision agriculture courses.
'This is in adherence to President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr.'s call to increase the yield of our farmers, improve farmgate incomes, and strengthen food security,' Salceda added.—LDF, GMA Integrated News
