What’s Next for ADACOP

Food, fun, fellowship—and the National AI Strategy Roadmap. The Ayala Data & Analytics Community of Practice, comprising data science and artificial intelligence professionals and enthusiasts across the Ayala group, gathered on December 11 at Ayala Triangle Gardens Tower 2 to celebrate a year of learning and cooperation.

“Many of you have seen the progress in the last 13 months, which were about getting to know each other, finding ways for us to learn from each other, and [starting] a journey wherein we begin to really work together,” said Ayala Corporation Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Group Head Karl Kendrick Chua. “Next year, I want us to focus on synergy, having bilateral or even multilateral means for business units to work.”

Explaining the importance of knowing how the national strategy for AI relates to and can be supported or enhanced by the Ayala group’s own efforts, Chua introduced the program’s keynote speaker, Trade and Industry Undersecretary Rafaelita Aldaba.

“It is crucial for us to have our own National AI Governance Framework to establish the agreeable scope and limitations of AI, which are aligned with global practices,” said USec. Aldaba. She underscored the need to develop localized and accessible AI innovations and solutions and to invest in AI education, training, and workforce development aligned to industry needs. “Lastly,” she said, “the Philippines must continuously be engaged with regional and global partners to harmonize our frameworks, foster knowledge sharing, and bring best practices to the forefront.”

The gathering discussed ADACOP’s gains in its first year and plans for next year, including the establishment of 10 principles of a successful groupwide AI strategy, which will be developed by working teams and reported to management in the first half of 2025.

(Clockwise from top left) Ayala Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Group Head Karl Chua and Head of Data Strategy and Governance Warner Tan; Trade and Industry Undersecretary Dr. Rafaelita Aldaba; and Ayala Head of Capability and Culture Building Norman Lapid and Head of Data Platforms and Solutions James Faeldon

Members of the Ayala Data & Analytics Community of Practice celebrate the close of the year.