EU and Philippines launch AI Industry Lab in Makati

The European Union and the Philippines have announced the establishment of the EU–Philippines AI Industry Lab. Announced at the 2026 AI Forum in Makati, the initiative aims to connect businesses, technology providers, and research institutions.

Operating under the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) as an allied laboratory within the National AI Center for Research and Innovation (NAICRI), the facility will follow a “test before invest” approach. This allows micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and startups to evaluate artificial intelligence tools and digital infrastructure in a test environment before committing capital to full deployment.

The lab will provide access to cloud services and various datasets, including Earth observation data from the EU’s Copernicus program and DOST programmatic data. Research and development will focus on four priority sectors: energy, healthcare, environmental protection, and disaster resilience. While the lab offers technical expertise, advisory services, and access to digital infrastructure, it will not provide direct financial grants to participating companies.