President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. is pushing for wider and more inclusive access to artificial intelligence (AI) as the government launched on Monday a new AI-powered feature of the eGovPH Superapp.

In a message delivered by Cabinet Secretary Benhur Abalos during the ceremonial launch of eGov AI at The Manila Hotel, Marcos said emerging technologies must be made accessible to more Filipinos and harnessed to improve public services.

“We live in a time when technology is transforming how we learn, work, and do business. Artificial intelligence, or AI in particular, offers new ways of solving problems and making everyday tasks more efficient,” Marcos said.

“Hence, the government must be ready to make these technologies work for the Filipino people,” he added.

Marcos cited a 2024 study showing that only 14.9 percent of firms in the country use AI tools, with adoption concentrated among larger, technology-related companies in urban centers.

Structural barriers and connectivity also affect businesses’ ability to adopt emerging technologies, he said.

“These realities tell us where our work must continue. We must make innovation more accessible and equip our people with the skills to use it,” Marcos said.

He stressed that AI development must also be anchored on accountability, security, and public service.

“That is why this administration is championing the ethical and responsible use of AI as a means to improve our services to Filipinos and create opportunities for them,” he said.

Developed by the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), eGov AI features “Kuya A,” a built-in AI assistant that provides real-time guidance to help users access government services online.

Free to verified eGovPH users, the feature includes document extraction, image identification, translation, form understanding and speech generation, as well as access to tourism information and laws, policies and guidelines.

The platform also includes electronic Know Your Customer (eKYC) for more efficient identity verification and advanced liveness checks to strengthen safeguards against fraud and unauthorized access.

Its real-time translation feature is likewise designed to help reduce language barriers in digital transactions.

Marcos said the platform demonstrates how technology can make government services more accessible while maintaining safeguards for users.

“Every technology we introduce must ultimately serve public interests,” Marcos said.

He urged Filipinos to use AI “wisely, responsibly, and ethically,” stressing that technology should complement, not replace, human judgment.

“Always remember that technology should sharpen our judgment, not replace it. Let us use AI as a tool to make well-informed decisions without surrendering our own capacity to question, discern, and decide,” he said.

The launch also featured the awarding ceremony for the eGovPH Hackathon 2026, which recognized the Top 30 teams for developing digital solutions supporting the government’s digital transformation.

Marcos thanked government partners, stakeholders, and individuals involved in developing the technology, saying innovation should create opportunities for Filipinos and ensure that “no Filipino is left behind” in the digital transition.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the initiative is part of the government’s continuing effort to improve public service delivery.

“The eGovAI marked another important step in our continuing effort to make government work better for every Filipino. We are bringing AI into the eGovernment ecosystem not simply as a technological innovation, but as a tool to make public services more responsive, accessible, and efficient,” he said.

Integrated into the eGovPH Super App, eGovAI features secure identity verification, automated document processing, translation services, and intelligent assistance.

For government agencies, the tool can help streamline routine processes and improve service delivery.

The event also featured the eGovPH Hackathon 2026 Awarding Ceremony, recognizing the Top 30 teams that developed digital solutions supporting government transformation. (PNA)