DOST pushes for nationwide AI use in MSMEs, partners with Limitless Lab

Originally published by DOST on 28 August 2026. Read the original DOST report. Dates and targets below reflect that report; “early next year” refers to early 2027.

Tapped to lead the nationwide efforts in artificial intelligence (AI) capacity-building for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST-CARAGA)-Caraga Regional Office signed a partnership with Limitless Lab, to help MSMEs integrate AI in their businesses.

The Limitless Lab is the local implementing partner of the ASEAN Foundation for their Artificial Intelligence for MSME Advancement in ASEAN (AIM ASEAN) Programme in the Philippines.

The partnership was signed by DOST-Caraga Regional Director Engr. Noel M. Ajoc, and Limitless Lab founder and CEO Mary Joie Cruz, during the opening ceremony of the Regional Science, Technology and Innovation Week in Caraga Region on August 26, 2026.

Through the partnership, the two organizations will work together to strengthen AI literacy and adoption among MSMEs by developing certified trainers. It will also provide MSMEs with practical AI tools and resources that can support productivity, innovation, and business resilience.

“We are tasked by our Undersecretary for Regional Operations to lead the capability building of MSMEs that are partners of the DOST nationwide. We already trained around more than 160 personnel who will also train [other] MSMEs who work with the DOST,” Ajoc said.

Under the AIM ASEAN program of the ASEAN Foundation, 100,000 MSMEs are targeted to be trained  to use and adopt AI in their businesses, across the 10 member states of the ASEAN region, whereas the local target for the Philippines is at 17,500 MSMEs by 2027.

Meanwhile for DOST, it targets to assist and upgrade 10,000 MSMEs for the next two years. Of this number, DOST-Caraga’s target is 1,000 MSMEs by early next year.

According to Regional Dir. Ajoc, the biggest barrier that prevents MSMEs from using AI in their business is lack of awareness, thus they partnered with Limitless Lab to ensure that MSMEs will be given an opportunity to study the use of existing AI tools and be guided towards using it to improve their businesses.

“For small businesses, they can actually use a lot of AI technologies online. Hopefully, they will go for that. As we go along, together with other agencies like us in the DOST, we will be moving towards deploying AI products that are developed locally. In fact, we have a program called DIMER, wherein all the AI models that you have listed can be downloaded here,” Ajoc said.

Ajoc is pertaining to the Decentralized Intelligent Machine Exchange Repository (DIMER), a digital AI model store developed by the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute. It gives users like MSMEs free and easy access to advanced AI technologies without building them from scratch.

Moreover, while some MSMEs in the country remain unready for digital transformation, Ajoc said the DOST-Caraga's experience with its first 250 trainees shows strong interest among entrepreneurs.

The signed partnership is just among the many initiatives of the region to empower local business owners.

About RSTW

The Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (RSTW) is an annual event organized by the DOST regional offices across 17 regions. This celebration showcases local technologies, research and development (R&D) projects, and innovative initiatives that connect communities, local industries, and stakeholders with science-based solutions. These efforts promote inclusive, sustainable, and resilient development in the region. The RSTW is one of the major scientific events leading up to the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) celebration, which will be held in General Santos City in November.  For more information, visit www.dost.gov.ph or the National Science, Technology, and Innovation Week (NSTW) Facebook page. (By Claire Bernadette A. Mondares, DOST-STII)