The Department of Education announces it is using artificial intelligence (AI) to guide its rollout of library hubs on Apr. 16, 2026. (Courtesy: DepEd)

The Department of Education (DepEd) on Thursday announced it is using artificial intelligence (AI) to guide its rollout of P1-billion worth of library hubs in the country to ensure the program reaches the schools and students that need it the most.

The Education Center for AI Research (ECAIR) developed a resource allocation tool that will identify the locations of schools that need to improve their students’ reading competencies.

This will serve as the basis for the launching of the library hubs under the 2026 Basic Education Facilities Fund.

The initiative is part of DepEd’s five-point agenda that aims to address literacy gaps in the country through evidence-based reforms.

“Data-driven policymaking is central to the education reforms we envision. Initiatives like this demonstrate how data science can help DepEd make smarter investments—ensuring that resources reach the schools and learners that need them the most,” Education Secretary Sonny Angara said.

The project is also in response to the findings of the Second Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM II), which emphasized the need for fair distribution of equipment and facilities.

Using the analysis on national education and administrative datasets, the algorithm identifies qualified schools based on the need for learning, expected use, and fairness considerations.

According to Undersecretary for Learning Systems Strand Carmela Oracion, the library hubs are a critical platform to build a culture of reading in the country.

“By working with ECAIR to incorporate data into planning and prioritization, we can ensure that our investments better support learners in our schools,” Oracion said.

ECAIR Managing Director and Chief AI and Data Officer Dr. Erika Legara likewise stressed that the technology ensures that large public funding will bring the highest effect on learning.

“Education systems generate vast amounts of data, but the challenge is turning that data into actionable insights,” Legara said.

DepEd library hubs will serve as warehouse librarires that will give public schools quick accss to a wide collection of quality supplementary reading materials in order to increase the level of functional literacy in the country.

These hubs will serve as central warehouses where teachers may borrow in bulk books and teaching tools for their students, usually for a set period lasting 25 to 30 days. — Rolando Ng III