AI infra master plan assumes investment of $30 billion

THE Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is projecting $30 billion worth of investments over the next seven years in its National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Infrastructure Master Plan.

“We are focusing on private-sector investments this year especially for digital infrastructure. This includes mostly AI and hyperscalers,” Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda told reporters on the sidelines of the department’s 10^th anniversary on Tuesday.

The DICT hopes to issue the master plan within the year, Mr. Aguda said, adding that approval is expected from the Economic Development Council by July.

The DICT’s Philippines AI+ Infrastructure Master Plan covering up to 2033 is now under review, Mr. Aguda said.

“The masterplan seeks to strengthen the country’s AI and digital infrastructure ecosystem while positioning the Philippines as a regional hub for artificial intelligence, innovation, and digital industries,” the DICT said.

The DICT has said that the Philippines must accelerate its AI adoption by upgrading infrastructure and boosting regulation, as slow uptake could prevent the country from fully capturing productivity gains.

The master plan is set to outline the DICT’s strategy for AI development, as well as digital connectivity expansion and enabling high-performance computing capabilities, the department said.

“Countries that build the infrastructure of the AI economy today will attract the investments, industries, and high-value jobs of tomorrow. (The plan) ensures that the Philippines is prepared not only to adopt AI, but to become a regional leader in powering it,” Mr. Aguda said in a separate statement.

The plan projects data center capacity of up to 1.5 gigawatts over the period, Mr. Aguda said.

Current Philippine data center capacity is at 200 megawatts, he said, adding that by year’s end it could hit 1 gigawatt (GW) if the data center operators that have expressed interest in locating in the Philippines go ahead with their plans.

In February, the DICT said data center capacity could hit 18 GW in the next 20 years. — Ashley Erika O. Jose