PEZA, AI training firm collaborate to establish first AI tech academy in PH
The Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) has forged a joint venture with AI firm StackTrek to establish the first AI Tech Academy in the Philippines. PEZA is set to launch the tech academy in Cebu later this month to equip ecozone workers with skills needed to utilize new technologies.
PEZA director general Tereso Panga announced that the AI Tech Academy is set to open on Nov. 17. He said StackTrek was looking to collaborate with host economies for the initiative and the Philippines was the first to respond to the call to set up an AI training academy. He added: “StackTrek made an investment for the AI Tech Academy, while PEZA’s role is to mobilize the industry to support the initiative through donations of equipment.”
Here’s how games can help kids gain some important life skills along the way:
Team-based games teach cooperation and communication
Cooperative video games force kids to learn the benefits of collaboration, which is a skill they can take into their teenage and adult lives. These games require them to articulate their ideas and opinions, negotiate, and be open to receiving feedback. Many popular console games, like Fortnite and Minecraft require players to use teamwork to succeed.
Expand their social circles
Video games don’t get the praise they deserve for creating safe social spaces for kids to meet other like-minded kids. In fact, it’s easier for some kids to make friends through gaming than in the schoolyard or at camp. There’s less pressure to impress and more opportunities to have fun together. Friendships made while playing video games can be just as meaningful as those made offline. Kids can connect over shared goals, jokes, and work together to achieve something.
Gaming can help with emotional regulation
Gaming is competitive, it offers kids a controlled environment to practice emotional regulation. Kids will have no choice but to deal with losing, various setbacks and hurdles, adapting to changes in gameplay, or learning to play a new game or with a kid they haven’t played with before. These are critical life skills that school can’t always teach to the kids.
Remarkably, there is a lot of value to letting kids play though not everything related to gaming is positive. The best evidence of the merit of kids playing video games is that they require a lot of problem-solving, patience, compromise. Playing can also make them resilient and smart, too!
Reference: Gaming Has Its Merits—Here’s How Video Games Help Kids Develop Better Social Skills
The new facility was initially expected to be launched in October, but the date was postponed due to PEZA’s investment mission to South Korea. The AI Tech Academy is also an initiative being undertaken with the Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines.
“Using the AI training framework, I think it’s a pioneering initiative by the Philippine government, by the Philippines in Southeast Asia,” Panga said. PEZA is also working with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to provide grants to workers that will undergo the AI training.
Panga said Cebu was chosen as the location for the first AI Tech Academy given the available space there. Since AI is a new technology, he said the training must be conducted in person. Through the facility, the aim is to train IT workers, high-school and college students and job seekers on various AI tools and solutions to prepare the Filipino workforce for new technologies and advanced manufacturing.
StackTrek specializes in AI and programming, offering a unique combination of advanced technology integration and talent development for modern businesses. They provide scalable training programs to cultivate a skilled AI workforce, along with consultation and implementation services to reengineer business operations.
PEZA plays a crucial role in the economic development of the Philippines by managing and promoting ecozones, industrial estates, export processing zones, and free trade zones across the country. Established under the provisions of its enabling act, PEZA is tasked with creating an environment conducive to business by providing essential infrastructure and services, facilitating investments, and fostering sustainable growth.
Reference: PEZA to unveil AI Tech Academy
Wendy mentioned Intel’s tech updates for 2025 such as Intel Core Ultra (Lunar Lake for laptop and Arrow Lake for desktop) processors comprising Intel’s AI PC portfolio for 2025; Intel vPro as the no-compromise solution for business. She said that Intel delivers what modern businesses need: performance; manageability; connectivity; AI; stability; security. There is also the new Intel Xeon 6 which is the latest processor for servers bringing AI everywhere; for evolving data centers; and ecosystem ready. Xeon is the most deployed host CPU for AI accelerated systems.
Dynamic presentations and conversations capped this occasion plus some fun during the raffle draws with guests winning various prizes. But the best part was the priceless trove of knowledge imparted to valued clients for the benefit of their respective organizations.
