An ASEAN Foundation report reveals that 83 percent of students in the Philippines have used generative AI, such as ChatGPT, for learning purposes. Three in four rely on it to paraphrase online sources and present them as their own in school writing tasks. AI adoption is driven by the younger population, according to ASEAN Foundation executive director Piti Srisangsam.
A recent ASEAN Foundation report highlights high levels of artificial intelligence use in Philippine education. Specifically, 83 percent of students have experimented with generative AI for academic tasks, exceeding the regional average.
Three in four students use these tools to rephrase texts from the internet and pass them off as original work. "AI adoption in the country is led by the younger population," said Srisangsam. Among educators, only 73 percent have used generative AI, with 42 percent relying on it for writing.
Across Southeast Asia, 87 percent of students use AI for information searches, while 75 percent seek writing assistance. With rising cybersecurity threats amid widening AI adoption, Srisangsam urged ASEAN members to bolster security policies and governance frameworks to mitigate risks.
"For Srisangsam, the Philippines is one of Southeast Asia’s leading economies in powering the AI charge," the report states. However, many Filipino educators criticize the ethics and reliability of AI in classrooms. "Srisangnam said now is the time for Southeast Asia to catch up on the AI race, warning that failing to level with its Asian neighbors could mean opportunity losses in the long run."
The report emphasizes the need for better regulations to harness the technology without undermining educational integrity.