ILOILO CITY — Mayor Raisa Treñas welcomed the Department of Science and Technology Western Visayas’ invitation for Iloilo City to serve as official partner and sponsor of the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Fest, slated for August 3–5 at the Iloilo Convention Center. The festival aims to equip students, workers, and entrepreneurs with the tools for a technology‑driven economy.
A Landmark Gathering of Tech Innovators
The three‑day event, themed “Building an AI‑Ready Future, Together,” marks the second edition of Western Visayas’ premier tech conference. Organizers expect over 1,000 participants from across the Philippines and neighboring ASEAN countries. The festival will transform the convention center into a hub of innovation and collaboration.
Attendees can immerse themselves in nine flagship components, more than double the previous year’s offering. Technical conferences will feature global speakers discussing AI ethics, research, and industry trends. Hackathons will challenge teams to build prototypes addressing the region’s priority sectors, including the blue economy and renewable energy.
Showcasing Homegrown Creativity and Commerce
The AI Expo will house five thematic zones, covering game development, robotics, AI research, industry applications, and global technology. These exhibits will connect startups with investors and government agencies, creating a fertile ground for commercial partnerships. Local entrepreneurs can demonstrate how they integrate intelligent systems into their businesses.
Creative tech competitions will further highlight Ilonggo talent. The SineAI film showcase will feature short films produced with artificial intelligence tools, following hands‑on workshops for select teams. The AI Game On! jam merges cultural heritage with gameplay, inviting developers to breathe digital life into historical narratives.
Building on a Foundation of Ethical Innovation
Western Visayas already leads the country in responsible AI governance. The Regional Development Council passed the nation’s first regional AI Governance and Ethics Policy, ensuring that every innovation presented at the festival aligns with human‑centric values. This legal groundwork gives investors confidence that the local ecosystem is both dynamic and disciplined.
The AI Policy Lab will continue this work by engaging participants in gamified, dialect‑friendly sessions to co‑create inclusive frameworks. Meanwhile, the AI Speaks seminar will guide business and government leaders through the practical steps of transitioning from basic digitalization to competitive AI adoption. These policy tracks position Iloilo as a thoughtful leader, not just a technology consumer.
From Back Office to Innovation Hub
Iloilo’s IT‑BPO sector has generated over ₱18.2 billion in direct revenues, but the employment landscape is shifting. Voice‑based services have declined from 70 percent to roughly 55 percent of the workforce, prompting a strategic pivot toward higher‑value tech development. The AI Fest accelerates this shift, cultivating local talent capable of building the automation technologies of tomorrow.
Real‑world startups born from earlier hackathons prove the model works. An AI‑powered red tide warning system is now used by the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. DiaSight screens for diabetic retinopathy using routine lab data, while GabayAni provides agricultural advice to rice farmers via chatbot. These success stories demonstrate how the festival translates ideas into tangible economic and social returns.
Preparing Ilonggos for a Tech‑Driven Economy
Mayor Treñas emphasized that the initiative is crucial for preparing Ilonggos for a future where technology opens more opportunities. The festival’s industry‑matching component, AI Connect, will link startups with academic hubs, local governments, and investors, fostering an environment where innovation can thrive. By supporting this event, the city invests in the long‑term competitiveness of its workforce.
Registration and program details will be released in the coming weeks, with organizers promising an inclusive, multilingual program that welcomes participants from all backgrounds. As August approaches, Iloilo City is poised to showcase that its digital future is not a distant dream but a collaborative project already taking shape.
