The Double-Edged Sword: A Review of Artificial Intelligence Integration in the Philippine Educational System

Abstract

The rapid global ascent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) presents both profound opportunities and significant challenges for educational systems worldwide. In the Philippines, a nation characterized by a burgeoning youth population and a developing digital infrastructure, the integration of AI into education is a subject of escalating importance. This review article synthesizes the current landscape of AI adoption within the Philippine educational system, from basic to tertiary levels, following the IMRAD (Introduction, Methodology, Results and Discussion, and Conclusion) format. The study's objective is to provide a comprehensive overview of the prevailing trends, benefits, and challenges of AI in this specific context, with a particular focus on the intertwined issue of cybersecurity. This article is a literature review, employing a thematic analysis of peer-reviewed research articles published between 2020 and 2025. The results are organized into key themes: AI-driven pedagogical and administrative innovations, persistent socio-economic and infrastructural barriers, the nascent ethical and policy landscape, and the critical cybersecurity challenges in a digitized educational environment. Findings indicate that while AI offers promising avenues for personalized learning, automated assessment, and administrative efficiency, its implementation is significantly hampered by the digital divide, a lack of comprehensive teacher training, and the absence of robust institutional policies. Concurrently, the increasing reliance on digital platforms has exposed the education sector to a heightened risk of cyber threats, including phishing, malware attacks, and data breaches, which often outpace the development of adequate cybersecurity measures. The article concludes that for the Philippines to harness the transformative potential of AI in education, a multi-pronged approach is essential. Recommendations include substantial government and private sector investment in digital infrastructure, the development of localized and context-aware AI tools, comprehensive and continuous professional development for educators, the establishment of clear ethical guidelines and data privacy protocols, and a significant strengthening of the nation's cybersecurity posture within the educational sphere