Over 650 directors and officers from the PLDT Group and the MVP Group of Companies gathered to discuss the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data and their crucial role in the growth of businesses at the recent 18th Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Sessions held in Taguig City.

Erika Fille T. Legara, PhD., Aboitiz Chair in Data Science, Founding Director of the Master of Science in Data Science Program at the Asian Institute of Management, and a trailblazer in the field of data science, highlighted the immense potential of leveraging AI and big data to revolutionize industries and create sustainable competitive advantages.

"Among all the technologies in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, it is AI that is the biggest driver of innovation," said Legara, who is also Managing Director and Chief AI and Data Officer at the Center for AI Research, established by the Department of Trade and Industry.

"The economics of this is simple: Prediction. If you can predict who your next customer will be, or if you can predict the behavior of your existing customers, if you could have some foresight in the performance of a new product - then that is power. That power comes from predictive analytics through AI," she added.

Legara also joined a panel discussion with PLDT, mWell, and Manila Electric Company (Meralco) executives, exploring the challenges and opportunities of harnessing data to drive business growth.

On the panel were Jojo Gendrano, PLDT's Chief Information Security Officer and SVP and Head of Enterprise Business Group; Rocky Bacani, FVP and Head, Information, Communications, Technology and Transformation at Meralco; and Albert Padin, mWell’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. The panelists addressed the challenges of harnessing the power of data, the technical, cultural, and strategic roadblocks that can hinder data-driven transformation, and the importance of responsible AI development and deployment, including issues such as bias, privacy, and transparency.

With PLDT Group and MVP Group leaders embracing data-driven innovation to drive their organizations forward, and under the strong leadership of Manuel V Pangilinan, the group is well-positioned to leverage AI and big data to deliver exceptional customer experiences and achieve sustainable growth.

The ACGES is a key conference of the PLDT and MVP Group Companies for their Directors and Officers as a training and learning session on best practices for corporate governance.