DOST, AI firm ink partnership for AI training

The Department of Science and Technology (Department of Science and Technology) and enterprise artificial intelligence firm NMBLR AI have entered into a partnership aimed at advancing AI knowledge and supporting businesses in the country.

The agreement was signed on Tuesday in Makati City by DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. and NMBLR AI chief executive officer and founder Winston Damarillo.

“What we wanted to do is share the Nexus workshop opportunity with the DOST and the rest of the government so people can have a more practical experience in using AI,” Damarillo said.

NMBLR AI’s Nexus is a workshop designed to prepare organizations for AI adoption by teaching employees not only the fundamentals of AI, but also how to apply the technology and develop solutions.

Solidum said the partnership would help DOST employees further strengthen their knowledge and skills in using AI.

“The main partnership is for DOST leadership and employees to really go through the process,” Solidum said.

“Of course, many of our employees already know how to use AI. But going through the full process—from idea, to foundation, to data, and eventually forging that into an application—gives you a complete understanding from concept to actual implementation. That is the benefit of having an integrated system,” he added.

Through the training workshops, NMBLR AI also hopes to support startups in the country.

“We wanted to work together and explore opportunities so we can take Filipino talent, Filipino solutions, and Filipino ideas and turn them into usable business tools—and hopefully businesses as well,” Damarillo said.

Solidum clarified that the partnership is currently focused on training DOST employees, and possibly other government agencies, which could later open opportunities for startups to deepen their understanding of AI.

“The main partnership is for DOST leadership and employees to really go through the process. That’s really the partnership. The consequence will be our ability to link this facility with startups interested in learning more about AI,” Solidum said.

Data provided by the DOST to GMA News Online showed that the agency is currently supporting 105 startups through the following offices:

• Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development — 67
• Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development — 27
• Philippine Council for Health Research and Development — 11

Aside from Nexus, NMBLR AI also offers three other products aimed at helping organizations maximize AI use: Foundation, Forge, and Prism.

Foundation provides a secure, governance-based layer, while Prism transforms enterprise data into actionable intelligence through natural language. Forge, meanwhile, cuts deployment time from months to days.—MCG, GMA News