Philippines launches eGov AI assistant Kuya A

The Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has launched eGov AI, a new feature within the eGovPH Superapp. The tool includes a built-in assistant named ‘Kuya A’, designed to help verified users access public services, extract data from documents, translate multiple Philippine languages, and access laws and policies.

During its debut at The Manila Hotel, the AI assistant experienced a high-profile error. Shortly after the launch, the system misidentified Donald Trump and Joe Biden as the president of the Philippines. The error was reportedly patched the following morning to correctly recognize President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Cabinet Secretary Benjamin ‘Benhur’ Abalos Jr., representing President Marcos Jr., emphasized that the technology is intended to assist human judgment rather than replace it. The rollout aims to improve government efficiency, transparency, and ease of access to digital services for citizens.