A Filipino educator whose work focuses on developing, deploying, and measuring the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) innovations in Philippine schools has been elected president of the International Artificial Intelligence in Education (IAIED) Society, a global organization with more than 1,500 members across 40 countries working at the intersection of computer science, education, and psychology.
Dr. Maria Mercedes “Didith” T. Rodrigo of Ateneo de Manila University will lead the IAIED Society from 2027 to 2029. She will bring together experts from leading research institutions worldwide—including Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pennsylvania, University College London, and the University of Hong Kong—to advance the research and development of AI-powered learning interventions and environments that support learners, teachers, and educational institutions.
Dr. Rodrigo’s election further strengthens the Philippines’ presence in this international community. She is a professor at Ateneo’s Department of Information Systems and Computer Science (DISCS), heads its Laboratory for the Learning Sciences, and co-leads the Ateneo Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality Lab. Her research focuses on AI in education, learning analytics, and educational games.
A significant part of Dr. Rodrigo’s work examines the relationship between AI and equity, particularly how teachers, learners, and educational institutions in countries like the Philippines can benefit from these technologies.
In a 2024 study conducted with the Philippines’ Second Congressional Commission on Education, Dr. Rodrigo and fellow researcher May Marie P. Talandron-Felipe interviewed 48 public-school teachers across the country. Their findings revealed enthusiasm for AI but also highlighted limited knowledge, inadequate equipment, and connectivity challenges.
The researchers recommended sustained teacher training, access to appropriate tools, and continued human involvement in decision-making. These measures underscore the practical requirements for making AI useful and accessible in classrooms with limited resources.
Dr. Rodrigo has been a member of the IAIED since 2007 and considers the AIED community a significant influence on her work and career. She sees her presidency as an opportunity to give back to a community that has opened numerous doors for her.
As the first Asian woman to serve as IAIED president, her election marks a milestone for Ateneo de Manila University and the Philippines, highlighting the country’s growing contribution to global research and innovation in artificial intelligence and education.
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