The Philippine Space Agency Space Security Technologies Division (PhilSA SSTD) recently completed a four-month artificial intelligence (AI) training for the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and National Coast Watch Centre (NCWC) through its “Pagsasanay para sa Kalawakan Programme.”
The virtual “Introduction to AI Training Series” gave participants a better understanding of AI and how it can be used to improve public safety and security. The training modules covered various space technology applications relevant to the country’s security sector’s mandate and operations.
This training series focuses on the application of AI, specifically image processing. Object detection is one application of AI for satellite imagery in security applications. AI-enabled Object Detection identifies and tracks things such as ships, aircraft, and vehicles, among others, assisting with overall monitoring and situational awareness.
Furthermore, AI technology is not limited to satellite imagery and can be applied to other surveillance platforms such as cameras and drone imagery, as well as other applications such as facial recognition.
Even after the training, PhilSA will continue to assist the nation’s security sector in applying AI and space technology tools and concepts in their work in a sustainable manner. This collaboration between PhilSA and the PNP, PCG, and NCWC also lays the groundwork for future collaborative activities.
One of PhilSA’s mandates under RA 11363, or the “Philippine Space Act,” is to improve public access and resource sharing by assisting departments and other government agencies in the performance of their duties using space science and technology applications (SSTA) and space data mobilisation.
The AI training is one of PhilSA’s many initiatives to support the development, application, and utilisation of SSTA to accelerate social progress and promote national security for the benefit of all Filipinos.
The PhilSA SSTD offers relevant space science and technology and applications (SSTA) training, capacity-building, and techno-scientific support with the goal of encouraging resource sharing and access to the country’s emerging space capabilities.
The programme is the SSTD’s space technology capacity-building initiative, with the goal of creating a security sector that is highly capable, knowledgeable about space technology and its applications, and a valuable contributor to the Philippine space ecosystem in the future.
Meanwhile, the Food and Nutrition Research Institute (DOST-FNRI) Nutrition Physiology Laboratory is one of the outcomes of the DOST-Grants in Aids funded R&D programme titled “Healthy Aging Programme for Pinoy (HAPPY) Senior Citizens.”
The new laboratory exemplifies the collaboration of four critical components of human nutrition research: metabolism, physical activity, body composition, and nutrition.
Using cutting-edge technology and apparatus, the laboratory will link all four research components. It is anticipated that the data provided by the laboratory would throw additional light on how nutrition and physical exercise contribute to the better health, functionality, and quality of life of older Filipinos.
Dr Imelda Angeles-Agdeppa, Director IV and Scientist IV of the DOST-FNRI, emphasised the significance of integrating the many data or information components of nutrition research to produce creative study for the benefit of the nation.
On the other hand, former DOST Secretary Fortunato T. de la Pea issued a call to action to meet the need of the demographic transition of an older society over the next two decades by introducing innovative techniques and offering access to healthy ageing.
The programme highlighted the multidisciplinary team and the various components that the programme evaluates – nutrition, function, anthropometric measures, biochemical measures, and geriatric assessments – to obtain a holistic image of the nutrition health status of the potential research participants and gain a deeper understanding of their nutrition situation.