DepEd issues AI policy: ‘Human-centered’ approach must be prioritized
MANILA, Philippines—The Department of Education (DepEd) has issued guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) amid its rise and how it is being used in schoolworks, emphasizing that a “human-centered” approach must still be prioritized.
In a 49-page order by the DepEd dated Feb. 20, Education Secretary Sonny Angara acknowledged the “rapid expansion” of AI use in classrooms, teaching, learning and education governance.
Angara, through DepEd Order No. 003 series of 2026, said the use of AI in classrooms has “outpaced the ability of the basic education system to put in place clear, unified and enforceable policies.”
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He also acknowledged the absence of a national framework on AI hse that aligns with existing laws and standards on data privacy, content accuracy and sound pedagogy, leading both teachers and learners to rely on “informal and inconsistent practices.”
“This situation exposes learners to risks such as data privacy breaches, unverified and misleading instructional content, and uneven application of AI tools across schools,” Angara said in the order, as he also acknowledged how AI is now being used even in DepEd offices for research and analytics, among other purposes.
Under the guidelines, the DepEd has laid down several “principles” that are anchored to the frameworks of several international organizations including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco).
Among the principles set by the DepEd was to prioritize an approach that is “human-centered and pedagogically appropriate interaction” in the teaching and learning process.
Angara explained in the order that teachers and learners will remain at the “center” of the entire learning process with the help of AI as a tool to support “effective instructional design that responds to diverse learner needs.”
“The use of developmentally appropriate AI tools should effectively meet human needs and enhance teaching and learning, driven by the intrinsic motivation of teachers and learners who maintain control over the AI tools,” read the DepEd’s order.
The agency also called for the promotion of inclusion, equity, and linguistic and cultural diversity in integrating AI in education, which means AI tools must also be accessible even to the “poorest and most disadvantaged” students.
The use of AI should also be considerate to the protection and enhancement of human agency, or that the use of AI should not compromise the “intellectual and relational skills of all learners.”
“Particularly in teaching and learning, the use of AI shall be an opportunity to enhance essential 21st-century skills of learners to enable them to analyze, evaluate, innovate and effectively communicate ideas and apply learning in real-world contexts,” the order said.
The DepEd also said that its order aligns with the AI Act of the European Union and the Asean 2025 Expanded AI Guide “by categorizing AI applications and usage by risk, applying stricter controls to high-risk uses while enabling safe innovation for minimal or limited risk tools.” /mr
