Industry leaders speaking at a panel discussion during the 50th Annual National Convention and 3E XPO 2025 of the Institute of Integrated Electrical Engineers (IIEE), held this week at the SMX Convention Center, said the Philippines must urgently upgrade its energy and digital infrastructure to support artificial intelligence (AI). The session was moderated by Engr. Eugene Araullo, Energy Research and Program Development Director of the Meralco Power Academy.

Antonilo Mauricio of the National Development Company said AI cannot scale without reliable power and data infrastructure, emphasizing that the Philippines is falling behind ASEAN peers in building an environment where AI-driven industries can thrive.

He outlined an “ABCDEFG” framework – AI, Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Data centers, E-commerce, Fintech, and Government digitalization – and stressed that each component relies on strong electrical and energy systems. “Ang data center po ay critical. Walang AI kung walang data center,” Mauricio said.

International consultant Dr. Eduardo Canela said electrical engineers are at the center of global AI development because the technology relies on chips, power systems, sensors, and communication networks designed and maintained by EE professionals. 

He urged academia and industry to update the Philippine Electrical Code and engineering curricula to reflect rapidly evolving technologies. “AI is driven by electrical engineering,” Canela said, adding that “we have to prepare our people because this is where the world is going.”

Canela said the Philippines should treat AI as an opportunity rather than a threat, citing advances in automated diagnostics, smart grids, and semiconductor technologies. He encouraged engineers to embrace capacity-building efforts and global benchmarking to stay competitive in the region.

Atty. Mark Gorriceta of the Global AI Council Philippines highlighted regulatory readiness and data governance as essential parts of AI adoption. He cautioned that AI models remain prone to errors and require strong oversight. “AI is still narrow in intelligence. It makes mistakes. It hallucinates. You need governance and compliance as you adopt the technology,” he said. He also stressed that companies must understand where their data is stored and how cloud ecosystems interact with local regulations.

Gorriceta added that workforce readiness is critical as AI reshapes structured tasks in industries such as law, business process outsourcing, and engineering. He noted that organizations integrating AI systems must ensure accuracy, cybersecurity, and integrity in their processes.

Moderator Araullo said the integration of AI into electrical engineering requires a holistic approach that includes updated policies, stronger infrastructure, curriculum reform, and closer collaboration between industry and government. He concluded that AI adoption will continue accelerating, and the country’s competitiveness will depend on whether its power and digital systems can support the technologies emerging today.

How can the Philippines strengthen its power and data infrastructure to support long-term AI adoption in the engineering sector?

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