Negosyante News

February 4, 2025 3:48 am

State of the Nation in AI (SONAI) 2025: A United Vision for AI Advancement in the Philippines

(From Left to Right) Donald Lim, President, Global AI Council PH; Catherine Jalandoni, Executive Director, Global AI Council PH; Kate Hancock, Founder, Global AI Council; Usec. Leah Buendia, Undersecretary for Research & Development, Department of Science and Technology; Secretary Renato Solidum Jr., Department of Science and Technology; Secretary Ivan John Uy, Department of Information and Communications Technology; Brian Poe Llamanzares, Chairman, Global AI Council PH; Usec. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue, Department of Information and Communications Technology; Atty. Mark Gorriceta, Corporate Secretary, Global AI Council PH; and Anton Mauricio, Treasurer,

Global AI Council PH.

Pasay City, Philippines – The Global AI Council Philippines successfully hosted the first-ever State of
the Nation in AI (SONAI) 2025 on January 30 at the GSIS Theater. This landmark event convened key
government leaders, private sector executives, and AI experts to examine the current state of artificial
intelligence (AI) in the Philippines, foster collaboration, and break down silos between industries.
SONAI 2025 marks the beginning of a larger initiative, which will be followed by a compiled AI report
and directory.

A United Vision for AI Development

The event featured high-level discussions from both the public and private sectors, highlighting AI’s
potential to drive innovation, economic growth, and digital transformation in the Philippines.
Government leaders took center stage during the first panel, Government Agency Viewpoints, where
Secretary Ivan John Uy of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and
Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) shared the
government’s vision for AI in the country.

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. (left) and DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy (right) at SONAI 2025.

In his speech, DICT Secretary Uy reiterated President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive to harness AI as
a transformative tool in governance, connectivity, and cybersecurity, ensuring that its benefits reach
Filipinos across the nation. Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Solidum outlined the country’s AI roadmap,
detailing a P2.6 billion investment in AI-driven projects across various sectors, including industries,
healthcare, education, mobility, environment, and disaster risk reduction. He reaffirmed the goal of
positioning the Philippines as the AI Innovation Hub of ASEAN by 2040.

The Private Sector’s Role in AI Development

Following the government discussions, industry leaders and AI experts took the stage to provide
insights on AI’s transformative impact across various sectors. The program was divided into three key
segments, each featuring a keynote speaker followed by a panel discussion:

Segment 2: The Frontier of AI

● Keynote Speaker: Mr. Antonio Zaballos, Director of Digital Technology at the Asian
Development Bank (ADB)
● Panel Discussion: Moderated by Ms. Mel Migrino of the Philippine CIO Association, featuring
industry leaders from:

○ Mr. ByeongJo Kong (Asian Development Bank)
○ Atty. Edsel Tupaz (Gorriceta Africa Cauton & Saavedra)
○ Atty. Leandro Angelo Aguirre (National Privacy Commission)
○ Usec. Leah Buendia (Department of Science and Technology)
○ Mr. Anton Mauricio (Global AI Council PH)
○ Mr. Itamar Gero (TrueLogic)

Segment 3: Driving Change in Key Industries

● Keynote Speaker: Mr. Unni Pillai, Head of Technology at Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Philippines
● Panel Discussion: Led by Joel Santos of Thames, with panelists from:
○ Mr. Mike Lao (Accenture)
○ Ms. Gail Cruz-Macapagal (Healthcare Information Management Association of the
Philippines)
○ Usec. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue (Department of Information and Communications
Technology)
○ Col. Francel Margareth Padilla (Global Council for Responsible AI)
○ Mr. Rolan Marco Garcia (Embiggen X)
○ Mr. Mike Calma (Advance.AI)

Segment 4: Empowering Consumers in the AI Era

● Keynote Speaker: Ms. Sara Venturina, Chief Data Officer at GCash
● Panel Discussion: Facilitated by Henry Aguda of Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD), featuring
experts from:

○ Dr. Adrienne Heinrich (UnionBank)
○ Ms. Ida Tiongson (Xurpas/Fintech Alliance)
○ Mr. Roki Ferrer (Dentsu International)
○ Mr. Roland Ros (Kumu/DBP Data Center Inc.)
○ Mr. Johannes Mabulay (Gevme)

A Collective Commitment to AI Progress

Wrapping up SONAI 2025, Brian Poe Llamanzares, Chairman of the Global AI Council Philippines,
underscored the significance of sustained efforts in AI development: “SONAI 2025 is not just for the
council, but for the country. This initiative is about bringing everyone together to recognize the
opportunities AI presents.”

In a powerful conclusion, Poe Llamanzares led all attendees in a Pledge of Support, where leaders
from various sectors committed to fostering AI growth, responsible innovation, and ethical AI adoption.
Key Partners in AI Innovation

SONAI 2025 was made possible through the generous support of GCash, Amazon Web Services
(AWS), UnionBank, and Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV), whose contributions are instrumental in
advancing AI technology in the Philippines. Additionally, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) served as
the neutral, trusted content partner, ensuring that discussions remain balanced, insightful, and aligned
with international best practices.

With SONAI 2025, the Global AI Council Philippines has laid a strong foundation for a more AI-driven,
connected, and innovative future—one that aligns with national development goals and positions the
Philippines as a key player in the global AI landscape.

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