MANILA — Senator Joel Villanueva is advocating increased funding for artificial intelligence (AI) training programs for faculty members in state universities and colleges, saying educators need stronger support to keep pace with rapidly evolving technology.
During the 2026 PASUC Annual Convention held at the SMX Convention Center, Villanueva said generative AI has advanced so quickly that some students have become more proficient in using the technology than their instructors.
“Students are sometimes already ahead of their teachers when it comes to generative AI,” he said.
The senator emphasized that this does not reflect a deficiency in teachers’ abilities. Instead, he said the challenge lies in the unprecedented speed of technological development.
“Our teachers are not lacking in skill; technology is simply advancing at a very fast pace,” Villanueva explained as he appealed for collaborative efforts to secure funding for AI training across SUCs.
Villanueva, who chairs the Senate Committee on Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, said universities should be preparing learners for careers that may emerge only in the future. He noted that higher education institutions must continuously adapt to remain competitive and relevant.
Referencing Simon Sinek’s concept of the “infinite mindset,” he cited Nokia and Kodak as cautionary examples of organizations that failed to adjust to technological shifts despite their previous dominance.
He also recalled Peter Drucker’s warning that university campuses could become obsolete if they do not evolve with changing times.
According to Villanueva, these concerns contributed to the inclusion of a PHP2 million Futures Thinking Research Program for selected SUCs in the 2026 national budget. The program was supported by both Villanueva and Senator Pia Cayetano as part of the government’s PHP1.3 trillion education allocation.
“Our state universities and colleges should not merely react to change—they should anticipate it and take the lead in shaping the future,” he said.
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