CHED: AI must not compromise academic integrity in education

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) emphasized that the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic institutions must not come at the expense of academic integrity, as it pushes for a national roadmap on responsible and inclusive AI integration in higher education.

Speaking at a media briefing during the opening of the three-day national summit “CHED RAISE 2026: Responding through AI for Societal Empowerment” on Feb. 25, CHED Chairperson Shirley C. Agrupis said AI has become deeply embedded across sectors, including education.

“It is already in classrooms, laboratories, research, agriculture, and across sectors. For higher education institutions, it is beyond a strategic goal. It is the mandate of our President because he believes in the enabling power of artificial intelligence,” Agrupis said.

She emphasized that the integration of AI must be guided by clear policy frameworks to ensure that academic standards are preserved.

“While we push for AI-driven programs and competencies for our people, especially our students, we must not advance these at the expense of academic integrity,” she added.

She highlighted the need for a clear and focused direction anchored on standards to guide the embedding of AI across curricula in various academic programs.

She added that well-defined policies implemented through responsible governance are essential to ensure proper oversight.

“These are the key components in ensuring that AI does not become a destructor of education, but rather an enabler,” she stressed.

She further pointed out that the challenges posed by AI extend across all stakeholders in the higher education system — from students to faculty and administrators.

“We are challenged by the intrusion of AI into the human innate, into human intelligence. That is why we need to have guidelines,” she said.

She explained that in instruction, AI can serve as a powerful tool, but faculty members must be properly guided and should not allow technology to replace their role in the learning process.

In terms of governance, she said AI should be treated as an enabler that broadens institutional insight and enhances decision-making beyond conventional perspectives.

CHED Commissioner Myrna Q. Mallari also acknowledged that both students and teachers are already using AI tools on the ground.

“One of the things that the Commission is doing now is to make sure that all state universities and colleges and HEIs in general will be able to craft internal policies that will govern and promote accountability in the use of AI in instruction, research, and written production,” Mallari said.

She added that some universities have already secured approval for their institutional AI policies.

The summit, hosted by Northern Iloilo State University, West Visayas State University, and CHED Western Visayas, gathers educators, innovators and industry leaders nationwide to help craft a national AI roadmap aligned with higher education goals.

The event, anchored on the theme “Empowering Minds. Transforming Communities through Responsible and Inclusive AI,” aims to promote ethical AI adoption, strengthen digital competencies, operationalize the National AI Upskilling Roadmap, and showcase AI-driven innovations addressing the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Philippines has been ramping up its AI initiatives in recent years, with President Marcos Jr. signing Executive Order No. 57 in 2024 establishing the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy to position the country as a regional leader in AI development and governance.

CHED Regional Director for Western Visayas Raul Muyong said many higher education institutions in the region have already integrated AI into their programs, particularly in computer-related courses.

The three-day event, held at the Iloilo Convention Center, features breakout sessions, workshops and exhibits showcasing AI innovations from various regions.