DOST-ASTI Tech Initiatives featured in SEAIP 2023; positions PH as regional key player in AI and Quantum Computing

18 Jan 2024 10:01 AM

Tainan City, Taiwan — DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) recently participated in the Southeast Asia International Joint-Research and Training Program in Cloud Computing and Internet of Things (SEAIP 2023) held from 4-8 December 2023 in Tainan City, Taiwan. Organized by the National Center for High-Performance Computing (NCHC) with the theme "HPC & Trustworthy Cyberinfrastructure: Challenges & Opportunities," the training program gathered experts and researchers to promote collaboration and innovation, and to address challenges related to building resilient cyber infrastructure. 

DOST-ASTI technical experts Mr. Jeffrey A. Aborot and Mr. Elmer C. Peramo shared insights into the latest developments in AI and Quantum Computing at DOST-ASTI in their presentation titled “Research and Innovation in Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing in the Philippines.” Mr. Peramo underscored the transformative potential of AI for national development, while also acknowledging the challenges associated with the high costs of deploying AI and the need for technical experts to develop and optimize machine learning and deep learning models. 

Southeast Asia International Joint-Research and Training Program in Cloud Computing and Internet of Things (SEAIP 2023) concluded with a cultural tour that provided participants with the opportunity to explore and immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Tainan City. 

The presentation highlighted DOST-ASTI’s High-Performance Computing (HPC) and Cloud facility Computing and Archiving Research Environment (COARE), and the various AI-driven initiatives at DOST-ASTI including AI4Mapping and AI for agriculture under the Remote Sensing and Data Science Help Desk (DATOS Project) and Synthetic Aperture Radar and Automatic Identification System for Innovative Terrestrial Monitoring and Maritime Surveillance (SARwAIS Project), IoT and AI-based plant phenotyping platform Gul.ai Project, natural language interface for relational databases iTANONG Project, and the ASTI-Automated Labeling Machine (ASTI-ALaM) Project which aims to democratize access to machine learning and artificial neural network-based models through its Decentralized Intelligent Model Exchange Repository (DIMER) model store. 

Mr. Aborot discussed the Quantum Circuit Simulation (QCS) Project, a pivotal initiative in quantum computing research at DOST-ASTI focused on optimizing quantum circuit simulators for execution within DOST-ASTI’s COARE HPC facility and providing local researchers with access to infrastructure and software libraries in quantum algorithm simulations on HPC. He also highlighted the project's educational campaigns, including the recently concluded Quantum Computing Hackathon in partnership with OneQuantum Philippines, and the need to address challenges such as the lack of academic programs and institutions focused on quantum computing. 

As part of SEAIP 2023, Taiwan’s NCHC also held the International HPC Symposium, which covered topics ranging from connectivity, cybersecurity, privacy enhancement technologies, quantum computing, smart agriculture applications, data, and generative AI. Breakout sessions allowed participants to engage in in-depth discussions about Cyberinfrastructure, Cybersecurity, Applications, and Data & AI. 

DOST-ASTI's participation in SEAIP 2023 reinforced the agency's commitment to advancing AI and Quantum Computing, positioning the country as a regional key player in these cutting-edge fields. DOST-ASTI's strategic initiatives in AI and Quantum Computing underscore its dedication to technological innovation, collaboration, and democratizing access to these transformative technologies.