Utilization of Generative Artificial Intelligence in Public Safety Educational Institutions Towards 21st Century Skills Development

Abstract

This study explored the utilization of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in public safety educational institutions in the Philippines towards the development of 21st-century skills among public safety student officers. The research utilized a mixed-method explanatory-sequential participant selection design based on the P21 Framework for 21st Century Skills and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Quantitative data were collected via surveys from the Officers Advance Course students, a training course mandated by Republic Act 6975 and 9263, specifically conducted at the National Jail Management and Penology Training Institute (NJMPTI) and the National Police College (NPC). This was followed by qualitative interviews with top scorers from the quantitative phase to gain deeper insights. The findings revealed that GenAI significantly enhanced key learning skills such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking; literacy skills like technology literacy; and life skills, including leadership and productivity. However, the study also identified several challenges in GenAI utilization, including ethical concerns, limited infrastructure, and a lack of institutional guidelines. Respondents highlighted the need for ethical frameworks, institutional support, and training programs to maximize AI’s educational benefits. A capacity-building program is proposed to institutionalize GenAI in the Philippine Public Safety College training institutions, aiming to equip public safety officers with future-ready competencies. The study concluded that, when responsibly and systematically integrated, GenAI can transform public safety education by cultivating the critical skills needed for effective leadership and service in a digital era.