The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), in partnership with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and technology talent platform StackTrek, has formally launched the country’s first government-led Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tech Academy in Mandaue City, Cebu. The initiative forms part of efforts to build a domestic talent pipeline for emerging technology industries and strengthen the competitiveness of Philippine ecozones.

The academy was inaugurated on January 16 and aligns with the administration’s push for a more digitally enabled and innovation-driven national economy. PEZA is preparing a multipartite agreement with TESDA, StackTrek, and the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to support a nationwide rollout in coordination with ecozone-hosting local governments, KIST (Knowledge, Innovation, Science and Technology) park developers, and higher education institutions.

The program is designed to complement the Philippine AI Program Framework, which outlines the country’s strategy for leveraging AI in economic development, focusing on high-performance computing, worker upskilling, research and development, and ethical AI deployment.

Located at the ETO Building in Cebu, the academy will offer practical, industry-focused training across AI, data science, fintech, blockchain, and emerging technology fields. The initiative aims to support ecozone modernization and sectoral transitions toward smart manufacturing and advanced digital services.

Workers employed by PEZA-registered companies will have access to upskilling and reskilling programs at no cost. PEZA confirmed that the first batch of learners from ecozone locators has already begun training, signaling early adoption from industry participants.

The initiative arrives as global manufacturers and service providers integrate AI into production, logistics, and back-office operations, accelerating demand for digitally proficient workers. Philippine technology and business process outsourcing stakeholders have highlighted the need for sustained upskilling to preserve the country’s position in the regional services market and avoid displacement risks linked to AI-driven automation.

PEZA said the academy will support its mandate to strengthen investment inflows and enhance the competitiveness of Philippine ecozones, which employ over a million workers across information technology, electronics, semiconductor, and manufacturing firms.

No additional rollout timelines or expansion locations have been announced, though the multipartite agreement under preparation is expected to outline the national scaling model.

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