MANILA, Philippines — A bill mandating artificial intelligence (AI) training for government employees was introduced in the Senate on Wednesday to equip civil servants with the necessary skills to adapt to the evolving technological landscape.

The proposed measure seeks to address the growing skills gap among the workforce, particularly with the increasing integration of AI in various industries. It underscores the importance of preparing government personnel to harness AI’s benefits while mitigating its risks.

“Skills gap is one of the challenges of the workforce, especially with the rise of generative AI. Government agencies must therefore start training and enhancing the capabilities of civil servants when it comes to AI,” Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said.

Estrada filed Senate Bill No. 2930, or the proposed Artificial Intelligence (AI) Training for Government Workforce Act, noting that many companies and government agencies worldwide have already started integrating AI into their operations.

“The debate and conversation around AI have been everywhere—whether it really helps people in their everyday lives or it is simply a threat to the global workforce. AI really has a lot of potential—from automating tasks to making it easier for complex questions to be answered in just a matter of seconds,” he added.

The bill tasks the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) with formulating and leading an AI training program. 

The program will cover AI fundamentals, its benefits for government operations, risks such as discrimination and privacy concerns, future AI trends related to national security and innovation, and risk mitigation strategies for safe and responsible AI use.

Estrada emphasized the need for a balanced approach in harnessing AI, ensuring that the workforce remains agile and resilient amid technological advancements.

“Investing in AI training will not only future-proof the workforce but also improve services for the public,” he said.

Under SB 2930, AI training will be conducted at least every two years and funded through the national budget. It will cover government employees involved in program management, planning, research, development, engineering, testing, quality control, procurement, logistics, cost estimation, and other relevant roles as designated by agency heads.