PH CONSUL GENERAL IN SAN FRANCISCO ENGAGES STAKEHOLDERS IN THE PHILIPPINES IN AI WORKSHOP
MAKATI CITY, PHILIPPINES — Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer recently participated in a workshop aimed at advancing artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives in the Philippines.
The discussions highlighted developments and strategic collaborations in the AI sector, crucial for enhancing economic growth and improving quality of life for Filipinos.
A highlight of the workshop was the presentation by Amini, represented by Founder and CEO Kate Kallot and Head of Platforms Zoe Cayetano.
Amini’s mission to democratize AI access in the global south aligns with initiatives to build AI infrastructure and capacity within the Philippines and other regions. Their collaborations with global entities such as NVIDIA and HP, demonstrate their commitment to advancing technology solutions and fostering inclusive growth.
Officials from the Competitiveness and Innovation Group of the Philippine Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-CIG) and partners in the private sector, underscored the Philippines’ commitment to leveraging AI for national development. DTI Assistant Secretaries Leonila Baluyut and May Niña Celynne Layug attended the workshop.
DTI-CIG Innovation and Collaboration Division Chief Karl Lyndon Pacolor underscored that the recent launch of the National AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0, and the establishment of the Center for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) mark pivotal steps towards positioning the Philippines as a regional leader in AI innovation.
“We welcome potential collaborations with CAIR, Amini, and other partners in fostering AI innovation in the Philippines. We look forward to the next concrete steps towards mutual cooperation in advancing AI capabilities in the Philippines,” Consul General Ferrer said.
CAIR Chief Dr. Erika Legara discussed strategies to bolster AI research, foster industry-academia partnerships, and ensure responsible AI governance. These efforts aim to drive innovation across sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, disaster resilience, and education.
CAIR Deputy Chief AI and Data Officer Dr. Sebastian Ibañez, and CAIR’s main data scientists and industry leaders—including Ionics EMS Vice President for Business Development and President of the Electronics Industries Association of the Philippines Earl Lawrence Qua, and QBO Innovation Hub Executive Director Jay Fajardo—also participated in the workshop.
CAIR aims to establish the Philippines as a leader in diverse AI applications through the promotion of technological innovation and interdisciplinary research. The initiative also places a high priority on cultivating a skilled workforce of full-time research scientists, engineers, and R&D professionals. END
From left to right, standing: CAIR Senior Data Scientist Jose Marie Antonio Minoza, CAIR Data Scientist Dr. Alvin Alon, CAIR Deputy Chief AI and Data Officer Dr. Sebastian Ibañez, Mr. Earl Lawrence Cua, Ionics EMS Vice President for Business Development and President of the Electronics Industries Association of the Philippines, Assistant Secretary May Niña Celynne P. Layug, Head of Foreign Trade Services Coordinating Office, incoming Trade Commissioner in Silicon Valley Anne Marie Kristine Umali, Consul Vanessa G. Bago-Llona, CAIR Data Scientist Christian Villarin, Chief of Innovation and Collaboration Division at DTI’s Competitiveness and Innovation Group Karl Lyndon Pacolor.
From left to right, seated: CAIR Chief and Data Officer Director Erika Fille Legara, Amini Head of Platforms Zoe Cayetano, Amini Founder and CEO Kate Kallot, Assistant Secretary Leonila Baluyut at DTI-CIG, Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Ferrer, and QBO-Innovation Hub Executive Director Jay Fajardo. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Amini CEO and Founder Kate Kallot leading the AI Workshop at QBO Innovation Hub. (San Francisco PCG photo)
Philippine Consul General Neil Ferrer meets CAIR Chief Dr. Erika Fille Legarda. (San Francisco PCG photo)