Towards Leadership in AI

Ayala Data Analytics Community of Practice Advisors Ramon Jocson and Janet Guat Har Ang lead the conversations on "Future-Ready Leadership: Embracing Analytics and AI in Management” and “Where is AI Taking Us?", respectively, at ADA Insights, with AC Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Group Head Karl Chua and Analytics Manager Norman Lapid, 917Ventures Corporate Relations Head Alexandra Castillo, and Globe Group Data Strategy Expert - Capability Development Lead Mark Malabanan.

The effort in this new AI world and transformation is really about changing paradigms [and] improving people, business processes, and organizations. We hope through events such as this, we are able to learn from our experts and our advisors on how we can make and apply AI in the Ayala group.

KARL KENDRICK CHUA
AC Data Science and AI Group Head

The Ayala Data Analytics Community of Practice (ADA COP) convened virtually on July 2 to exchange insights on the state of artificial intelligence (AI), its implications, and the path of leadership in its practice. The discussion was led by ADA COP Advisors Janet Guat Har Ang and Ramon Jocson.

Ang, who is also a BPI board director, is a nominated member of the Singapore Parliament and chair of the National University of Singapore's Institute of Systems Science. She explained the advantages of AI in customer service and app modernization, highlighting the importance of developing and using AI for the benefit and advancement of humanity. “There must be a transparency of the system which says when is the AI used, what data was used, who trained it, and for what purpose," she noted.

Jocson, a Globe board director and former BPI COO, discussed two schools of thought: technological determinism, wherein society is shaped by technology and innovation, and social constructivism, that is, technology and innovation are brought about by societal needs. He also underscored three characteristics to help leaders embrace analytics and AI. First, a leader must be data-driven to espouse critical thinking. Second, a leader should advocate for continuous learning to cope with changes and innovations in AI. Lastly, he noted, a leader must empower their team to make autonomous decisions.

This is the third virtual meeting of the ADA COP aimed at fostering knowledge sharing on data science and AI across the Ayala group. Previous sessions delved into data team structures, and development as well as initiatives on data science and AI within the conglomerate, with BPI and GCash as case studies.