Technology giant Microsoft has said it will train 100,000 Philippine women in artificial intelligence technology and cybersecurity.
According to Agence France-Presse the programme was announced during a two-day trade mission headed by US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
The women will use an online platform to learn how to use Microsoft’s AI tools, including those powered by OpenAI’s large language models, to gain workplace skills and to be able to recognise cybersecurity threats. Microsoft will partner with government agencies and local schools to provide the training to government employees.
Philippine Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba said in a statement that the training could “help to bolster cybersecurity and trust in tech adoption”.
The joint initiative could also help address the Philippines’ problem with disinformation, Mary Snapp, vice-president of global strategic initiatives at Microsoft, reportedly told a press conference in Manila. “There’s going to be a really strong focus and education campaign so that people who are looking at content are much better able to identify what’s been changed [and] what’s not been changed,” she said.
Microsoft also aims to roll out an AI-powered reading progress tool for around 27 million Philippine students, in partnership with the Philippine education department. A 2022 World Bank study revealed that nine out of every 10 students aged 10 in the Philippines struggle to read simple texts.
