Building a Community of Practice in Data and Analytics

There is a growing network of practicing and aspiring data professionals in the Ayala group that seeks to position the conglomerate for leadership in data science and artificial intelligence. And those who would like to take part in knowledge and data sharing are welcome to join the community. 

With more than 1,100 members, the Ayala Data and Analytics Community of Practice (ADA COP), also known as the ADA Network, was launched during the Spark*10: Ayala Group Innovation Summit on November 21. Aside from being a venue for collaboration, the ADA COP will provide an upskilling framework and training opportunities for data practitioners as well as non-data practitioners who use data for decision making; resources and access to expert thinking and networking opportunities; and a view of Ayala’s data and analytics talent network and capabilities. 

Introducing the ADA COP leads from various business units, Ayala Corporation Managing Director for Data Science and AI Karl Chua said: “We hope we will have the chance to work together to find solutions and jointly transform the organization.” 

Dr. Erika Legara, Asian Institute of Management’s data science program academic director, spoke at the network launch and emphasized the need to develop a data science and artificial intelligence (DSAI) strategy aligned with business and organizational goals. “Data strategy is not just about the data or the analytics or the technology. [There’s] the people, the leadership, the culture, communication, and the alignment to corporate strategy,” said Dr. Legara, who is one of six advisers to the ADA COP. “You can make people or capability, data, and technology choices that are grounded on business objectives, and this is how you can truly maximize your ROI from AI.” 

Other ADA COP advisers are former BPI EVP and COO Ramon Jocson, Dr. Prospero Naval of the UP College of Engineering, Trade Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba, Thinking Machines Founder and CEO Stephanie Sy, and Analytics Association of the Philippines President Michelle Alarcon.

Interested in joining the ADA Network? Sign up at https://forms.office.com/r/NbRsm5yDUw.