Shaping the future of artificial intelligence: Global AI Council Philippines hosts SONAI 2025

The Global AI Council Philippines successfully launched its inaugural State of the Nation in AI (SONAI) 2025 at the GSIS Theater on Jan. 30. This groundbreaking AI Congress marks the beginning of a national dialogue aimed at breaking silos, connecting government and private sector initiatives, and paving the way for the country’s AI roadmap.

The event serves as the first step in a broader initiative that a compiled AI will follow initiatives report and directory.

Focused on Government Agency viewpoints, the first segment of the congress gathered key policymakers and industry leaders, including 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). They were joined by Dr. Donald Lim, President of the Global AI Council Philippines, in a discussion moderated by Atty. Mark Gorriceta, Secretary of the Global AI Council PH.

DICT Secretary Uy emphasized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s vision of harnessing AI to drive governance, connectivity, and cybersecurity, ensuring its benefits reach every Filipino.

Meanwhile, DOST Secretary Solidum outlined the country’s AI roadmap, highlighting a P2.6 billion investment in AI projects spanning industries, healthcare, education, mobility, environment, and disaster risk reduction.

He reaffirmed the DOST’s goal of making the Philippines the AI Innovation Hub of ASEAN by 2040, stating, “By 2040, we envision that the Philippines will be the Artificial Intelligence Innovation Hub in the ASEAN region, driving the productivity and competitiveness of the country’s industries.”

Following the government discussions, the congress transitioned to private sector perspectives, featuring top executives from leading companies in key AI-driven industries. The discussions were divided into three segments:

● Segment 2: The Frontier of AI – Moderated by Ms. Mel Migrino of the Philippine CIO

Association.

Panelists: Mr. ByeongJo Kong (ADB), Atty. Edsel Tupaz (Gorriceta Law), Atty. Leandro Angelo Aguirre (NPC), Usec. Leah Buendia (DOST), Mr. Anton Mauricio (Global AI Council PH), and Mr. Itamar Gero (TrueLogic).

● Segment 3: Driving Change in Key Industries – Led by Joel Santos of Thames.

Panelists: Mr. Unni Pillai (AWS), Mr. Mike Lao (Accenture), Ms. Gail Cruz-Macapagal (HIMAP), Usec. Jocelle Batapa-Sigue (DICT), Col. Francel Margareth Padilla (Global

Council for Responsible AI), Mr. Rolan Marco Garcia (Embiggen X), and Mr. Mike Calma (Advance.AI).

● Segment 4: Empowering Consumers in the AI Era – Facilitated by Henry Aguda of ICD.

Panelists: Ms. Sara Venturina (GCash), Dr. Adrienne Heinrich (UnionBank), Ms. Ida Tiongson (Xurpas/Fintech Alliance), Mr. Roki Ferrer (Dentsu International), Mr. Roland Ros (Kumu/DBP Data Center Inc.), and Mr. Johannes Mabulay (Gevme).

Wrapping up SONAI 2025, Brian Poe Llamanzares, Chairman of the Global AI Council Philippines, underscored the importance of sustained efforts in AI development, sharing, “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.”

Furthermore, Poe Llamanzares emphasized the need for continued engagement, proposing SONAI as an annual congress to track AI progress and foster collaboration. He concluded with a call to action, stating, “We may not have invented AI, and we may not be the biggest players in it right now, but we must be ready and open to the opportunities it brings. These opportunities will only materialize if we continue these discussions and keep our voices heard.”

With SONAI 2025, the Global AI Council Philippines sets the stage for a more AI-driven, connected, and innovative future for the country that aligns with national development goals and global advancements in artificial intelligence.