AI FEST 2025: CODING A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE PHILIPPINES

AI FEST 2025: CODING A BETTER FUTURE FOR THE PHILIPPINES

By Balitang AI Tech Desk

In the heart of Iloilo City this August, the Department of Science and Technology Region VI (DOST VI) is set to transform the country’s AI landscape with AI Fest 2025—a national initiative that merges technology, creativity, and ethics into one powerful movement.

With the theme "Coding a Better Future: Responsible AI for Cities and Communities," the festival will not only showcase the potential of artificial intelligence but also spark a conversation about its ethical and inclusive use in solving real-world challenges.

A Nationwide AI Movement

AI Fest is not your typical tech event. It is a convergence of students, professionals, academics, local governments, startups, and industry leaders from across the Philippines, united by one goal: to build a strong and responsible AI ecosystem for the country.

The event will feature four flagship programs designed to redefine how Filipinos innovate with AI:

1. SineAI: AI Meets Filmmaking

AI isn’t just for data scientists anymore—it’s coming for the big screen. SineAI, co-organized with West Visayas State University (WVSU), is set to introduce AI to the creative industry.

• SineAI Talks (July 14, 2025, RDC Hall, Iloilo City):
  Expect deep dives into the fundamentals of AI from Dr. Felipe Vista IV, explorations of arts and AI by Kristian Kabuay, and a look into the future of AI in filmmaking and animation with industry leaders Auraeus Solito, Daniel Enriquez, and Jonathan Jurilla. AI ethics will also take center stage, led by legal and creative experts.

• Hands-on AI Workshop (July 16–18, 2025, WVSU):
  Guided by Gavin Lim, a Singapore-based award-winning media professional, and local mentors, teams will learn how to use AI tools for scriptwriting, sound design, cinematography, and more.

• SineAI Film Festival (August 11, 2025):
  The festival will premiere AI-enhanced short films created by participating teams, pushing the boundaries of tech-powered storytelling.

2. AI Hackathon: The Battle of the Brightest

If SineAI is where creativity thrives, the AI Hackathon is where innovation goes to war. Co-organized with UMWAD Western Visayas, this nationwide competition brings 10 elite student teams from across the country to solve pressing urban and community problems using AI.

• Pre-Event Webinars:

  • AI Tools and Platforms – July 18 (Andres Montiel, Packworks)

  • NLP and Computer Vision – July 29 (Joshua Arvin Lat, NuWorks Interactive Labs)

  • AI Ethics – July 30 (Dr. Romulo de Castro, DOST-Balik Scientist)

• Hackathon Proper (August 11–13, 2025):
  Kicking off at Richmonde Hotel, Iloilo City, this three-day challenge will culminate in a high-stakes pitch session and awarding ceremony at the Iloilo Convention Center.

3. AI Technical Conference

For those who want to go beyond the hype, the AI Technical Conference offers three days of in-depth discussions and research presentations. Backed by the Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (RASUC), this conference will tackle the latest advancements in AI technology, from cutting-edge research to industry trends that will shape the next decade.

• Date: August 11–13, 2025

• Venue: Iloilo Convention Center

• Registration Fee: Php 5,000

4. AI Exhibits: The Future on Display

The AI Exhibit, co-organized with PCCI-Iloilo, will transform the Iloilo Convention Center into a hub of innovation. From startups to global tech giants, the expo will highlight AI breakthroughs in health, education, business, and smart cities.

• Date: August 11–13, 2025

• Admission: FREE

Building an AI-Ready Nation

AI Fest 2025 is backed by some of the country’s biggest tech movers, including Innovate Iloilo, Analytics and AI Association of the Philippines (AAP), DevCon Iloilo, and sponsors like MORE Electric and Power Corporation and the Provincial Government of Iloilo.

According to DOST VI, this event is more than a festival—it's a national roadmap toward a future where Filipino talent leads the AI revolution.

Join the AI Fest Revolution

• Facebook: facebook.com/aifestph

• Website: aifest.ph

• Email: connect@aifest.ph

• Contact No.: 033 320 0907

The Philippines is coding its future, one breakthrough at a time. And this August, all roads lead to Iloilo—where AI will meet innovation, and where the next chapter of Filipino tech history begins.