The Philippines Could Become An AI Data Center
Experts believe the Philippines could become a major AI data center in the future. Tau Leng, the Senior VP for Technology at Supermicro, said the following in a press conference at the Acacia Hotel:
“I think the Philippines has a very good position for this. I saw the government willing to support all the companies here.”
“The Philippines is a growing country. That is why we are targeting to invest here to support local economies.”
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Tau Leng and other experts met with Dr. Enrico C. Paringit about the Philippines’ potential to become an AI data center at the AI Pinas Research and Development Conference.
Dr. Paringit is the Executive Director of the Department of Science and Technology-Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development. (DOST-PCIEERD).
Article continues after this advertisementHe said his department is developing ways to apply artificial intelligence in the country. He and his team focus on using it for energy and utilities, scientific innovations, and other sectors.
“In DOST, we’re always looking out for opportunities, for industries, to come in and participate in the innovation ecosystem in the land,” Paringit stated.
Moreover, he said that the DOST allocated roughly ₱429 million for AI project proposals from 2018 to 2022. At the time of writing, it has started 17 of them.
Paringit said the department would need ₱265 billion for AI projects in 2025. Also, the secretary said it funded two AI-powered prototype vehicles by the University of the Philippine-Mindanao (UPMin).
The university designed it for maintaining banana plantations, but it may become useful for creating weather maps and detecting disasters.
UPMin chancellor Lyre Anni Murao said the academe is ready to train the workforce that will support AI innovations in the Philippines.
“Us, coming from the academe, our job is to support [the DoST program]. In particular, we are here to develop the critical manpower that would be needed in the future for jobs related to AI,” she said.
Other digital reforms in the Philippines
Photo Credit: digitalmarketingphilippines.com
On March 1, Singaporean tech firm Evolution Data Centres (EDC) announced it signed a joint venture agreement with Megawide Construction to design a carrier-neutral data center in the Philippines.
It involves the long-term development of a 69MW colocation data center in Cavite, with an initial 23MW phase 1 deployment in 2024.
The CEO of EDC, Darren Webb, said, “This project will deliver the very latest digital infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing, content-hungry population.”
Also, President BongBong Marcos has been steadily fulfilling his promise to enact digital reforms during his first State of the Nation Address.
He told the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) “to identify and utilize innovations to improve governance.”
Dr. Paringit recognized the need for more blockchain experts in the Philippines, so the DOST started a training program for it.
Blockchain is a decentralized computer network known for enabling cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, but it has numerous other purposes.
The DOST understands its potential, so it has implemented blockchain tech for tracking mango exports in Guimaras.
Moreover, the country welcomes cryptos and other blockchain technologies, earning second place in the 2022 Global Crypto Adoption Index.
Last month, Marcos shared his plans to improve Philippine agriculture by implementing a digital farmer registry and food balance sheet.
Overall, the country could offer more jobs and experience more growth by becoming a beacon of technological innovation.
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Conclusion
The Philippines has been steadily advancing its digitalization, improving its potential to become a global AI data center in the future.
You may have noticed kids using AI, as the Ateneo allowed its use for students and teachers to help them adapt to digital trends.
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