DOST-ASTI leads Philippine AI Revolution with innovative DIMER Model Hub
San Mateo, Rizal, PH — The mountainous terrains of San Mateo, Rizal set against the backdrop of Metro Manila’s panoramic skyline, recently transformed into a hotbed of Artificial Intelligence ingenuity and innovation, hosting the seminal event ASTI-Automated Labeling Machine (ASTI-ALaM) Decentralized Intelligent Machine Exchange Repository (DIMER) End User Training and Stakeholders Meeting held from 30-31 August 2023 at Timberland Highlands Resort.
DOST-ASTI with representatives from various national agencies. The Stakeholders Meeting aimed to engage partners and stakeholders in exploring potential use case applications and practical implementations of AI in their respective domains.
DOST-ASTI through the ASTI-ALaM Project is developing DIMER, an AI model hub, to democratize access to optimized AI models by enabling end-users such as AI researchers, engineers, domain experts, and even enthusiasts and hobbyists to reuse these models, empowering them to leverage AI in their own domains.
DOST-ASTI Director & ASTI-ALaM Project Leader Dr. Franz A. de Leon delves into the nuances of the project, showcasing the immense potential of Artificial Intelligence in propelling the Philippines into an AI-driven future.
Dr. Franz A. de Leon, DOST-ASTI Director, and ASTI-ALaM Project Leader, underscored the agency's mission of advancing cutting-edge technologies in the Philippines. "With DIMER, our model store, we aim to democratize access to advanced AI technology and catapult the Philippines into new technological advancements," Dr. de Leon said.
In a video message to stakeholders, DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr., lauded the transformative power of AI and emphasized its potential to revolutionize industries. “AI has unquestionably emerged as one of the most disruptive and transformative technologies of our time. Its potential to revolutionize industries, redefine the way we live and work, and reshape the fabric of societies cannot be underestimated. With the convergence of big data, advanced algorithms, and computing power, AI is instrumental in unlocking solutions to some of the most pressing challenges we face as a nation,” he said.
A highlight of the Stakeholders Meeting was the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony to formalize the collaboration between DOST-ASTI and the University of Asia and the Pacific. Pictured (L-R) representing UA&P: Dr. Ruel Maningas, UA&P School of Management's (SMN) Vice Dean for Faculty Affairs and Research, and Master in Applied Business Analytics (MABA) Program Director (on behalf of UA&P President, Dr. Winston Conrad B. Padojinog), and Mr. Nogin Bunda, UA&P SMN Master of Science in Management (MScM) Program Coordinator; alongside DOST-ASTI Director Dr. Franz A. de Leon and Ms. Joanna G. Syjuco, Chief of the Computer Software Division. This partnership aims to invigorate AI research and development and foster a more participative approach from academia in leveraging AI for national development.
The meeting concluded with a clear call to action for all participants from Ms. Joanna G. Syjuco, Chief of DOST-ASTI's, Computer Software Division, to continue engaging in the discourse on AI for national development. “We endeavor to create impactful applications and services that resonate with every Filipino, driving innovation, progress, and a brighter future for our nation. And we realized early on that this is not a task we can complete on our own—it calls for collaboration, innovation, and adaptation,” she ended.
Together with its partners and stakeholders, DOST-ASTI is committed to leveraging AI for national development, democratizing access to cutting-edge AI technologies, and driving meaningful progress in the Philippine AI space.
The dedicated team of the ASTI-Automated Labeling Machine (ASTI-ALaM) Project, joined by the technical leads from the Computer Software Division, representatives from the DOST-ASTI Office of the Director, and DOST-PCIEERD, all unified in their commitment to propel advancements in the Philippine AI space.