ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES – The Department of Science and Technology Regional Office VI concludes its press conference held on June 11, 2025 at DOST Regional Office VI, kicking off the first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fest in the country with exciting preview and major announcements into “Coding a Better Future: Responsible AI for Cities and Communities.”
The 2025 AI Fest is a national initiative to strengthen AI development in the Philippines, pioneered by the DOST Region VI, and will take place from August 11, 2025 to August 13, 2025 at Iloilo City.
This first-ever major AI event banners the theme “Coding a Better Future: Responsible AI for Cities and Communities” to emphasize the ethical and responsible use of AI in transforming industries and economies and bring together students, researchers, AI experts, business leaders, and members of the creative industry to explore the latest trends, challenges, threats, and opportunities surrounding AI today.
Ms. Keithlyn Sarah B. Bernardino, DOST VI Assistant Regional Director for Technical Operations, presented the overview of the 2025 AI Fest during the press conference.
The event will feature four (4) 2025 AI Fest sub-events: (1) AI Hackathon; (2) AI Technical Conference; (3) SineAI; and (4) AI Exhibits. These activities promote AI awareness, build technical skills, and spark innovation in different fields. By showcasing regional efforts and encouraging cross-sector collaboration, the AI Fest helps consolidate scattered initiatives into a cohesive national movement.
The AI Hackathon is a nationwide competition among senior high school and college students, challenging them to develop AI-based solutions to real-world problems. This event is spearheaded by the Unified Movement in Western Visayas to Accelerate Startup and Spinoff Development (UMWAD) and the Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT U).
To highlight research and current developments in AI, the AI Technical Conference will also be held during the three-day festival. Organized by the Regional Association for State Universities and Colleges VI (RASUC VI), it is designed to share valuable insights and foster learning within the academic community.
SineAI, meanwhile, will host panel discussions and workshops exploring the trends and current applications of AI in the creative industry. The event also includes the screening of AI-assisted films developed by participants during the workshops. SineAI is organized by West Visayas State University (WVSU).
Lastly, the AI Exhibits, organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry – Iloilo Chapter (PCCI Iloilo), will showcase a range of AI technologies, innovations, and business solutions. It aims to promote collaboration among researchers, innovators, startups, and global tech leaders.
“We must transcend our fears and barriers sa AI because whether we like it or not, ara na siya. . . We would like to highlight that this should be a celebration of this very critical technology and how it can improve the quality of lives not only of Filipinos but of humanity as a whole,” [We must transcend our fears and barriers with AI because whether we like it or not, it is already here. . . We would like to highlight that this should be a celebration of this very critical technology and how it can improve the quality of lives not only of Filipinos but of humanity as a whole,] DOST VI Regional Director Engr. Rowen R. Gelonga remarked.
Acknowledging that AI has the potential of being misused by other people, Engr. Gelonga emphasized that the upcoming AI Fest will highlight efforts in order to optimize the benefits that the people can get from it. He furthers that the event will underscore the critical importance of AI not only in sectors, but in all dimensions of our personal and professional lives.
Also present during the press conference were Mr. Rayjand Gellamucho, Assistant Project Leader of UMWAD; Dr. Ma. Beth S. Concepcion, Dean of WVSU-College of Information and Communications Technology; and Mr. Francis V. Gerona, Corporate Secretary of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo.
The 2025 AI Fest is an AI initiative aligned with the Western Visayas AI Regional Development Action Plan 2025-2030 that was launched in February this year, and so far, the only region in the country that came up with an AI action plan. It received prominent participation and support from various government and private sectors led by, among others, PCCI, and the state universities and colleges.
While led by Region VI, this event is a collaborative platform for all regions to converge, share best practices, and build a unified AI agenda for the country— bringing together students, professionals, academics, LGUs, startups, and industry leaders from across the nation. (NBFactuar,GSNiervo/DOST VI-KMO)