BIR partners with Ayala to launch AI-powered tax assistant platform

The Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) and Ayala Corporation formalized their partnership on August 25, 2026, signing a Memorandum of Agreement to co-develop an AI-powered tax assistant system. The initiative, led by BIR Commissioner Charlito Martin R. Mendoza and Ayala's Karl Kendrick Chua, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Group Head, represents a significant step toward modernizing the country's tax administration infrastructure.

The planned AI assistant, known as Terry the Tax AI Assistant, is designed to support BIR personnel in their daily operations by providing rapid information retrieval and cross-referencing capabilities. The system aims to reduce manual processing time and improve accuracy in tax-related administrative tasks, potentially allowing agency staff to focus on higher-value compliance and enforcement activities.

This partnership aligns with broader government efforts to digitalize public services and enhance operational efficiency across key agencies. By leveraging Ayala Corporation's expertise in data science and artificial intelligence, the BIR seeks to modernize its technological infrastructure and improve service delivery to Filipino taxpayers.

The collaboration underscores the growing trend of public-private partnerships in Southeast Asia aimed at advancing digital government capabilities. The project is expected to provide a model for how government agencies can harness emerging technologies to strengthen institutional performance and taxpayer services.