In a week marked by bold dialogue and strategic foresight, the APO deepened its commitment to advancing inclusive, responsible innovation across Southeast Asia, bridging governance and education through the transformative potential of generative AI.

In partnership with the Development Academy of the Philippines, the APO convened Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries from key Philippine government agencies for the Executive Orientation on Generative AI and Digital Innovation for the Public Sector. Led by APO expert Dr. Akira Murata, the hybrid sessions moved beyond theory into action by introducing practical applications such as document summarization, internal chatbots, and citizen-focused automation using tools like ChatGPT-4o and Google Colab.

On 14–15 May 2025, participants co-created digital architecture diagrams, assessed their agencies’ AI maturity, and crafted 100-day roadmaps aligned with national innovation priorities. The sessions also addressed the ethical foundations of AI deployment, including data privacy, bias mitigation, and inclusive design, to remind the participants that innovation must be matched by integrity.

The APO continued the momentum on 16 May 2025 at the 16th INNOTECH International Conference hosted by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO) Regional Center for Educational Innovation and Technology (INNOTECH). With the theme AI in Education: Unlocking Potential through Accessible and Equitable Learning, the conference gathered regional leaders, educators, and global partners to chart a shared course toward a future of AI-enabled learning. A key highlight was the expression of commitment to the drafting of a regional policy framework on AI in education, an initiative the APO proudly supported as one of SEAMEO INNOTECH’s newest collaborators.

Across both events, a clear vision emerged: AI is not merely a technological tool, but a strategic enabler of inclusive development. Whether enhancing public services or transforming classrooms, the APO’s engagement reflects a regional readiness to lead, not just with innovation, but with purpose.

The opening of the program, in which Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries from key Philippine government agencies participated (photo courtesy of the Development Academy of the Philippines).

The APO participated in the expression of commitment to the drafting of a regional policy framework on AI in education at the 16th INNOTECH International Conference.