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DOST to launch Elev8 Philippines to fortify AI, quantum tech, biopharmaceuticals

The #MarcosCabinet: Solidum is new DOST secretary

In a bid to strengthen the country’s technological landscape, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said it will launch Elev8 Philippines on Feb. 5, an ambitious research and development (R&D) program focusing on eight key technology areas, including artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and biopharmaceuticals.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said the initiative aims to bolster the country’s scientific and technological capabilities, addressing critical sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and healthcare.

“Elev8 kasi walong R&D programs na malalaki na sa tingin namin ay kinakailangan ng ating bansa na mapalakas (Elev8 because it consists of eight major R&D programs that we believe our country needs to strengthen),” he said during an interview with state-controlled PTV-4 on Monday, Feb. 3.

One of the program’s major components, according to him, is the establishment of AI hubs to enhance computing power in universities and strengthen AI-driven applications across industries.

“Maliban sa paggawa at pag-increase ng ating kapasidad na gumamit ng artificial intelligence sa pagpapalakas ng ating infrastructure sa DOST, gusto nating tulungan ang iba’t ibang mga unibersidad na magkaroon din sila ng computing power para iyong paggamit ng artificial intelligence applications ay maparami pa at mapabilis (Apart from developing and increasing our capacity to use artificial intelligence to strengthen DOST’s infrastructure, we also want to help various universities acquire computing power so that the use of AI applications can expand and accelerate),” Solidum said.

He stated that the initiative will also prioritize quantum technologies, particularly quantum computing, to ensure the country is prepared for future advancements in computing power.

Another focus area is smart technologies, which will support various industries through funding and innovation-driven solutions.

Data analytics, industry 4.0, circular economy

The DOST chief said Elev8 Philippines will introduce the Geospatial Analytics and Technology Solutions Program to improve data collation and analysis, starting within the DOST system.

“After analytics, gagawa ka ng solusyon doon (you will develop a solution based on it),” Solidum added.

The program will also promote Industry 4.0, assisting local manufacturers in integrating advanced technologies to enhance production efficiency, he stated.

As such, Solidum said it will push for a circular economy, aligning with the Philippine Development Plan by leveraging science, technology, and innovation to minimize waste and maximize the use of raw materials.

“Science, technology, and innovation-driven ang circular economy. Paano natin magagamit ang dati natin na ay waste parts ng mga halaman o mabawasan ang waste sa mga production pati consumption ng mga tao (The circular economy is driven by science, technology, and innovation. How can we repurpose plant waste or reduce waste in both production and consumer consumption)?” he explained.

Gearing workforce for advanced technologies

With the rapid development of AI, quantum computing, and smart technologies, Solidum acknowledged the need to strengthen workforce development, particularly in tertiary institutions.

“Iyong iba diyan ay kailangan natin ng dagdag na tulong. For example, mayroon tayong pag-uusap with the private sector advisory council ng ating Pangulo on semi-conductor and electronics, pagdating sa isang industriya na iyan ang pinakamataas ang export natin. Pero marami na rin tayong kumpetisyon sa palibot ng Southeast Asia tulad ng Vietnam (Some of those areas will need additional support. For example, we are in discussions with the President’s private sector advisory council on semiconductors and electronics, as this is the country’s top export industry. However, we are facing increasing competition from neighboring Southeast Asian countries like Vietnam),” he stated.

Solidum stressed that while the country has made progress in AI research, there remains a gap in workforce readiness for industries.

“Iyong artificial intelligence, iyong workforce development ay kailangan, kasi nagsimula kami sa mga researchers kaya nakakagawa na tayo ng AI application sa iba’t ibang larangan ng R&D. Pero pagdating sa industriya, kulang pa. Kailangan natin ngayon na masigurado na iyong ating educational system ay magkaroon ng transformation para matutunan ng ating mga kababayan itong mga makabagong teknolohiya (Artificial intelligence and workforce development are essential because we started with researchers, which is why we have been able to create AI applications in various fields of R&D. However, when it comes to industry, there is still a gap. We now need to ensure that our educational system undergoes a transformation so that our fellow citizens can learn these modern technologies),”he explained.

DOST, he said, will play a crucial role in bridging this gap.

Advancing agriculture, biopharmaceuticals

Recognizing the importance of food security, Solidum said that Elev8 Philippines will strengthen smart agriculture by supporting local governments in adopting innovative farming technologies such as SARAi (Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines).

“Ito ay inerekomenda ng private sector advisory council na palaganapin ang implementasyon nito sa buong Pilipinas at gagawin natin ito sa lahat ng rehiyon ng bansa in partnership with DA and local government at siyempre iyong mga farmers and cooperative (This was recommended by the private sector advisory council to expand its implementation across the Philippines, and we will implement it in all regions of the country in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA), local governments, and of course, the farmers and cooperatives),” he said.

He added that the program will also promote high-value crops through smart agricultural techniques.

“For example, iyong Japanese melon na mahal na dati-rati ay sa Japan pa ine-import, nagawa na ito sa Pilipinas through greenhouse with all the gadgets na mano-monitor mo iyong temperatura, iyong sunlight, iyong nutrition (For example, the Japanese melon, which was once expensive and imported from Japan, is now grown in the Philippines through greenhouses equipped with gadgets that allow you to monitor the temperature, sunlight, and nutrition),” he stated.

In addition, he said that the initiative will focus on developing local agricultural machinery to reduce dependence on imports and generate more jobs for local fabricators.

The program, he said, will also invest in biologics in pharmaceuticals, aiming to enhance disease prevention and develop locally manufactured medicines.

“Ma-improve pa natin ang pag-prevent ng ating mga sakit at makagawa ng mga gamot para sa mga sakit dito sa Pilipinas (We can further improve disease prevention and develop medicines for illnesses in the Philippines),” said Solidum.

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Credit belongs to : www.mb.com.ph

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