TARLAC CITY (PIA) — The Philippine Information Agency (PIA), in partnership with the Municipal Government of Capas in Tarlac, reinforced artificial intelligence (AI) and social media awareness to about 50 youth leadership awardees during the 1st Capas Leadership Youth Camp.
The activity aimed to equip young leaders with digital awareness, capacity-building opportunities, and meaningful participation in community development through enhanced AI and social media knowledge and competencies.
PIA Assistant Regional Head Carlo Lorenzo Datu emphasized the important role of AI in education, communication, and leadership.
“AI helps people access information quickly, improve productivity, and create new opportunities in technology and innovation,” he said.
However, Datu also pointed out that while government agencies offer AI-related initiatives, such as the Department of Education’s Accelerating Governance and Adaptive Pedagogy through Artificial Intelligence and the Department of Science and Technology’s National Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Innovation, participants should still practice the responsible use of AI.
“AI in the digital age should be used as a tool to help people learn, innovate, and connect, not to replace humans,” he highlighted.
During the discussion, student leaders identified various challenges associated with AI use, including overdependence, academic dishonesty, reduced human interaction, and privacy concerns.
To deepen participants’ understanding of the responsible use of AI, Datu shared key practices, including verifying information, incorporating original ideas, using AI as a support tool, and observing ethical use of AI.
He also encouraged young leaders to contribute to efforts against misinformation and the misuse of AI.
“As student leaders, help us combat misinformation,” Datu underscored.
Lawy National High School student leader Ian Kenneth Tolentino shared his realizations on the importance of youth involvement in promoting the proper use of AI and addressing other social concerns.
“I believe na through early involvement like the leadership seminars, we can serve for a better future, especially nagkakaroon ng exposure ang mga student leaders para makapag adapt sila in basic competencies into applying them into larger communities in the future. (I believe that through early involvement in activities like leadership seminars, we can contribute to a better future, especially since student leaders gain exposure that helps them adapt and develop basic competencies, which they can apply in larger communities in the future),” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, the local government of Capas expressed its full support for empowering resilient, responsible, and purpose-driven young leaders who can contribute to community development and serve as catalysts for positive change in their respective communities.
The initiative supports President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s push to leverage AI as a driver of development, including efforts to promote AI literacy through education and other learning programs. (CLJD/CJGS, PIA Region 3-Tarlac GIP)
