Philippines Eyes Tech Hub Status with First AI Data Factory

THE Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) said it registered artificial intelligence (AI) research firm Physical Intelligence, Inc. (PII) as a new ecozone information technology (IT) enterprise. In a statement on Monday, it said PII intends to establish the Philippines’ first “data factory.” The facility will specialize in robot motion data generation, processing, curation, and customization for export. “Its operations will use imported or locally sourced robots, robotics equipment, artificial intelligence systems, and other related technologies to create, collect, process, and customize datasets for global clients,” PEZA said. The business model calls for data to be processed and customized in the Philippines for export, PEZA said. This is expected to position the Philippines beyond an investment destination for digital services into an emerging hub for physical AI, robotics, and high-value data processing, PEZA said. “This registration represents a new frontier for the Philippines’ digital and technology investment landscape,” PEZA Director-General Tereso O. Panga was quoted as saying. “By welcoming the country’s first data factory dedicated to physical AI and robotics data, we are expanding the scope of what can be developed, processed, and exported from our ecozones,” he added. Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Leandro Angelo Y. Aguirre said AI-related expansions can help bring in opportunities for innovation, jobs, and economic growth. Mr. Panga added that PEZA is looking to support more firms that will bring advanced technologies to the country, strengthening the Philippines’ position in the global technology value chain. PII is a US AI and software company that develops machine learning models that control robots and other devices. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz