Speech Delivered on October 27, 2023

To all our empowered women, esteemed guests, and most especially, the visionary founder, and head of special projects at Connected Women, a fellow TOWNS awardee Ms. Gina Romero, and  all participants – Good afternoon

It is both an honor and a privilege to address this dynamic gathering today.

Let’s begin by acknowledging a truth that serves as the fulcrum of our conversation today: the ceaseless determination, adaptability, and pioneering spirit of our Filipina freelancers, MSMEs, and professionals. Your consistent capacity to innovate and evolve in the face of challenges is not only commendable but also truly inspiring. As a woman leader, I draw immense inspiration from the narratives of fellow women trailblazers. Your journeys invigorate my commitment to serving our nation with unwavering passion and purpose.

As we enter the era of Generative AI, we see vast new opportunities. This technology is not a threat but an asset, offering potential growth for all in our professional landscape. It serves to reshape our creative and professional horizons, presenting limitless opportunities to everyone here.

For our Filipina freelancers, the continually evolving digital domain offers a chance to transcend geographical boundaries. By leveraging Generative AI, you can scale your services onto the global stage, ensuring smarter and more efficient work paradigms. Imagine the power of using AI for premium content creation or intricate data analysis, effectively broadening your sandbox in this digital age.

MSMEs, the true backbone of our economy, can view Generative AI as a platform for innovation. This technology can revolutionize operations, elevate customer experiences, and uncover novel revenue streams, driving efficiency and data-driven decisions.

To our esteemed professionals from various sectors, Generative AI stands as a multifaceted collaboration touchpoint. Whether it is for research, comprehensive analysis, or profound diagnostics, this technology serves to amplify your expertise, promising richer, more effective solutions.

Real-world tales, like the University of Kansas Health System’s AI journey or the invaluable insights from visionaries like Digiteer CEO Fatima Yambao and environmental advocate Felix Ayque, highlight the seamless and productive integration of human creativity and artificial intelligence. Their experiences spolight the vast potential lying at the intersection of humanity and technology.

Today, as we launch the Elevate GAIL initiative, our mission is clear: democratize access to Generative AI. I commend the commitment of this project to offer relevant training and resources, ensuring that every member of your community, irrespective of their background, not only adapts but thrives in this technological renaissance.

For the Department of Information and Communications Technology, may I share with you that our commitment to bolstering our nation’s digital infrastructure remains unwavering. This is our major mandate to support the growth of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

But on top of this mandate –

– The upcoming Philippine Skills Framework of the DICT this November aims to address skill discrepancies, enhancing employability, labor efficiency, and competitiveness across various sectors, including Healthcare and AI.

Under my watch, we have continuously supported the growth of a string digital innovation ecosystem in countryside. Nineteen cities under the Digital Cities Program have completed their digital roadmaps, a step towards job creation beyond Metro Manila’s confines.

Our Tech Trends webinar series continues to enlighten thousands, underscoring the importance of frontier technologies Artificial Intelligence, Blockchain, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things, Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, and Gig Economy

At the policy level which is under my portfolio, initiatives like the EUREKA and INSPIRED dialogues champion AI-centric endeavors, inviting a holistic contribution from all stakeholders. My office will undertake major policy programs – namely EUREKA Policy Dialogues on AI which stands for Empowerment through Education, U for Universal Access, R for Responsible AI, E for Ethical Innovation Design, K for Knowledge-Based Society and A for Agile Governance – our six important thrusts in developing AI strategies and policies.

We will also begin our dialogue on the IoT National Strategy for Policy and Industry Road Mapping and Ecosystem Development or INSPIRED for short – this year. I am inviting Connected Women to join me and other associations in the EUREKA and INSPIRED policy dialogues.

Finally, at the international level, which is also part of my portfolio at the DICT, we have closely participated in the development of the ASEAN AI framework to ensure coherent standards for the design and use of AI technologies. The Philippines is also one of the countries collaborating with ITU in developing strategies to ensure AI algorithms are not prone to gender bias as incorporated through our Girls in ICT programs.

Last year, as Councilor of the Philippines in the International Telecommunications Union or ITU – with the support of DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy – we launched the Digital Innovation for Women Advancement or DIWA – a collective call to increase an enhance the participation of women and girls in information and communications technology or ICT courses, careers and trainings and for us to leverage on ICTs or digital solutions to promote gender equality. I would also like to invite Connected Women to be part of DIWA.

In closing, I invite you to seize the boundless opportunities offered by Generative AI and other emerging technologies. Let’s utilize the Elevate GAIL program as our launchpad, uniting to ensure that our Filipina freelancers, MSMEs, and professionals lead the Generative AI evolution. Together, we’ll drive transformative, lasting progress for our beloved nation.

Thank you, and let’s embark on this thrilling odyssey united, shaping a future resonant with our collective aspirations.