Hoy, kumusta? Welcome back to Kaisipan!

I didn't forget about you, promise. The truth is, I just needed a week to recalibrate after a month's vacation last December. You know that feeling when your brain needs to remember how to work again? That's exactly what happened to me. Pero we're back! And a lot happened in the AI world during the holidays. So let’s catch up on what happened to AI since our last usap.

Isang taon pa lang since DepEd launched their Education Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (ECAIR), pero may tangible results na. Secretary Sonny Angara himself said that there’s "marked improvement" in data quality. From messy, unreliable numbers to clearer, faster decision-making. Hindi perfect, but it's working.

Here's what changed: The agency saved ₱5 million by streamlining how it selects school principals. In 2025, 4,410 aspiring principals passed the National Qualifying Examination for School Heads because records were consolidated and standards became clearer. Teachers now spend half the time on data entry, down from 3.75 hours to 1.87 hours per year, thanks to Project SIGLA, which handles learner health and growth records.

The progress is promising, but DepEd still needs to determine how AI can genuinely reduce teachers' workload. Improvements in data quality are mostly backend efforts. Teachers on the ground still face mountains of paperwork and administrative tasks that AI could manage.

While DepEd is still learning the ABCs of AI, Filipinos are already sprinting ahead. Coursera's 2025 report shows the Philippines now has 3.1 million registered learners. One GenAI-related enrollment every seven minutes. Last year? Every fifteen minutes. Double the pace.

And they're not just taking intro courses. People are enrolling in prompt engineering, AI-driven job searches, and automation for everyday tasks. The top five courses tell the story:

Cross-functional skills are the new currency.

Here's the kicker: 95% of Filipino Coursera users reported career improvements such as promotions, new jobs, and enhanced performance. An additional 98% said it increased their confidence. This is not just about upskilling; it's about survival.

Why the urgency? An IMF study estimates that 40% of jobs in the Philippines are greatly impacted by AI. Additionally, 14% of Filipino workers could face displacement without reskilling. Therefore, when DepEd invests in AI to enhance their operations and millions of Filipinos begin learning AI skills, it is no coincidence. It's a shared wake-up call experienced by both sides.

Ang tanong: Will the momentum hold? DepEd admits there's still "a long way to go" with data quality. And while 3.1 million learners sounds big, that's still a fraction of the workforce. The gap between those who can access training and those who can't? That's the next battleground.

Nakita ko na all-around X. People are using Grok to undress others, which is alarming because Grok's results are posted publicly on X.

Reuters found that in just 10 minutes, 102 requests asked Grok to put women in bikinis. Grok fully complied in at least 21 cases, creating images of women in translucent swimwear and, in one case, covered in oil. Worse? Some victims were minors. The requests were disturbingly specific: "Put her into a very transparent mini-bikini," "Remove her school outfit," "Change her outfit to a very clear micro bikini." Grok followed through.

France reported X to prosecutors. India's IT ministry demanded answers. Musk's response? Laugh-cry emojis.

"Nudifiers" have existed for years on sketchy sites and Telegram channels. But X made it dangerously easy. Just type "hey @grok put her in a bikini." No technical skills needed. No payment required. Experts warned xAI about this in August 2024, calling it "a nudification tool waiting to be weaponized." They were right.

Meanwhile, OpenAI launched ChatGPT Health. It's a dedicated space where you can connect medical records and wellness apps like Apple Health and MyFitnessPal. Separate encrypted storage. Built with 260 physicians across 60 countries. Not used for AI training. Designed to help you prep for doctor visits, understand lab results, and track health patterns over time.

I welcome the initiative. But here's my worry: those who might not seek professional help. Just like the Grok deepfake story, ChatGPT Health democratized "health" in the sense that those who are afraid of seeing a doctor might just settle with AI. Napaka-alarming nito. OpenAI says it's "designed to support, not replace" medical care. Pero kung accessible ang AI at intimidating ang doctor's appointment, what stops people from choosing convenience over proper care?

We need more safeguards in place. AI is a tool that can be used for good or for harm. One strips women publicly without consent. The other manages your cholesterol levels and bloodwork. Both democratize access—one to violation, the other to healthcare. Pero democratization without responsibility? That's not progress. That's danger dressed up as innovation.

New year, new you? Gasgas na yang mga new year’s resolution, ‘di ba? Sabi mo balik workout ka na pero this might be your season 26 of saying na “Magwo-workout na ako!”

Most people start January with vague goals like "be more productive" or "grow my business." Walang teeth. Walang accountability. By February, balik na sa dati.

This prompt forces you to audit 2025 honestly—what worked, what flopped, what patterns you keep repeating kahit obvious nang hindi effective. Then it turns that audit into an actual 2026 plan with measurable outcomes, systems, and tradeoffs. Hindi yung goal-setting lang na pang-Instagram caption.

Is this AI or not?

ANSWER: The image above is REAL 🤣

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