Iloilo City Hosts First-Ever AI Fest, Championing Ethical and Inclusive Technology for the Nation

ILOILO CITY – Energy and anticipation filled the air as Iloilo proudly welcomed the first-ever Artificial Intelligence Fest, a groundbreaking event that brought together city leaders, innovators, educators, and technology advocates. In partnership with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), the festival served as both a celebration and a call to action—highlighting AI’s transformative power and the need for its responsible integration into Philippine society.

This historic occasion was more than just a tech showcase. It was a statement: AI is here not to displace human capability, but to ease workloads, improve efficiency, and open new opportunities across industries. Iloilo embraced the vision of AI as a partner in progress, an ally in building a smarter and more inclusive society.

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Mayor Raisa Treña: Leading Iloilo Into the AI Era

Opening the festival, Mayor Raisa Treña delivered an inspiring address that set the tone for the day’s discussions. She warmly welcomed guests, speakers, and participants, expressing deep pride in Iloilo’s leadership in adopting forward-thinking technologies.

Mayor Treña emphasized that AI’s true role is to serve the nation, alleviating the burdens of manual labor while safeguarding livelihoods. “This is not about replacing people,” she underscored, “but about giving them better tools to thrive in a fast-changing world.”

She further stressed the importance of responsible AI governance, reminding everyone that adoption must be guided by proper ethics, clear regulations, and a vision for inclusivity. Her message was clear: Iloilo is ready to lead by example, showing how technology can empower communities, strengthen economies, and unite science with society.

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The Positive Promise of AI

The AI Fest also became a platform to highlight the many ways AI can contribute to the Philippines’ growth and development:

⦿ Boosting Productivity – AI can automate repetitive and time-consuming tasks, freeing human talent to focus on creativity, problem-solving, and innovation.

⦿ Improving Public Services – From streamlining government transactions to enhancing healthcare diagnostics, AI can make essential services more efficient and accessible.

⦿ Supporting Education – Intelligent learning systems can personalize education, helping teachers reach more students effectively.

⦿ Advancing Agriculture – AI-powered analytics can guide farmers in crop management, pest control, and yield prediction, strengthening food security.

⦿ Enhancing Disaster Preparedness – Predictive models can help local governments plan for and respond to natural disasters more effectively.

By focusing on these benefits, Iloilo is positioning itself not just as a consumer of technology, but as a proactive shaper of the nation’s AI future.

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A Call for Ethical and Inclusive AI

Beyond the excitement of innovation, the event carried a strong reminder: technology must always serve people first. Ethical frameworks, transparency in AI systems, and inclusive access to its benefits are crucial in ensuring that no sector of society is left behind.

Iloilo’s first AI Fest will be remembered not only as a celebration of progress, but as the start of a movement—where government, industry, and communities come together to embrace AI with wisdom, integrity, and vision.

As Mayor Treña put it, “We must not fear the future… we must shape it.”