Singapore – DOST – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI) recently participated at the 6th Round of ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) Agreement 3.0 Upgrade Negotiations and Related Meetings, held in Sands Expo and Convention Center, Singapore from 22-24 April 2024. 

As a key player in the Working Group on Digital Economy, DOST-ASTI Technical Experts Ms.  Roxanne S. Aviñante and Mr. Elmer C. Peramo, Senior Science Research Specialists, shared DOST-ASTI’s perspectives on Big Data, Data Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence, underscoring DOST-ASTI’s role in shaping the digital landscape in the country and the ASEAN region. 

Beyond the negotiations, DOST-ASTI also explored potential research and development collaborations with leading Singaporean institutions. Discussions with AI Singapore focused on collaborating with DOST-ASTI’s iTANONG Project to improve Filipino language training datasets for large language models (LLMs). The potential collaboration on Project SEA-LION, Southeast Asia's pioneering large language model, was also on the agenda. 

DOST-ASTI also engaged with A* Star's Institute of High-Performance Computing (iHPC) to discuss joint research efforts utilizing AI, Blockchain through the Self-sovereign Identity Empowerment: Reinventing Rights and Attributes (SIERRA) Project, and related technologies. These collaborations aim to tackle critical issues such as Online Trust and Safety and Data Provenance. 

DOST-ASTI is at the forefront of research and development in cutting-edge technologies. The agency’s participation in this international engagement demonstrates the Philippines’ proactive approach to fostering innovation and building strategic partnerships. DOST-ASTI is committed to driving the nation’s digital transformation and to contribute to the advancement of the ASEAN region.