The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday said it will utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools to guide PHP1 billion worth of investments for Library Hubs, ensuring the program reaches the schools and learners that need them the most.

The Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR), DepEd’s AI and innovation hub, developed a resource allocation tool that will pinpoint school locations where learners need to improve reading proficiency.

This will allow the department to strategically place Library Hubs funded under the 2026 Basic Education Facilities Fund.

“Data-driven policymaking is central to the education reforms we envision. Initiatives like this demonstrate how data science can help DepEd make smarter investments, ensuring that resources reach the schools and learners that need them the most,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said in a statement.

Unlike the traditional methods, the ECAIR helps identify candidate schools on the basis of learning needs, expected utilization and equity.

“By working with ECAIR to incorporate data into planning and prioritization, we can ensure that our investments better support learners in our schools,” DepEd Undersecretary for Learning Systems Strand Carmela Oracion said.

DepEd Library Hubs serve as warehouse libraries for high-quality supplementary reading materials for functional literacy.

These hubs act as central repositories where public school teachers can borrow books and educational resources in bulk for their students, typically for 25 to 30 days. (PNA)