From gridlock to green light: How can AI transform Philippines’ traffic

Written by Raul III "Cricket" Santiago, Managing Director, Fujitsu Philippines

Manila's traffic congestion is amongst the world's worst, significantly impacting the city's economy and the quality of life for Filipinos. In 2023, it held the unenviable title of the world's most congested metro area according to the TomTom Traffic Index.

The daily struggle is a constant reality, requiring innovative solutions.

Driving change with new technology for road traffic in the Philippines 

The Road Safety Action Plan (RSAP) in the Philippines was officially launched in 2017 as part of the government's commitment to improving road safety and addressing the high rates of traffic-related injuries and fatalities. It serves as a framework for the Philippines government to implement a series of strategies aimed at enhancing road safety. 

realme GT 7 Pro Takes Global Stage as the Dark Horse of AI

Prepare to Explore the Unexplored with realme’s first flagship powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite

Global tech innovator realme globally launched the highly anticipated GT 7 Pro. Paving way for a new era in AI-driven performance, the groundbreaking smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. The realme GT 7 Pro promises unmatched performance and advanced AI capabilities.

Globe starts blocking AI-generated, CGI, animated child sexual abuse imagery

Globe, a staunch advocate for online safety, has started blocking non-photographic imagery (NPI) of child sexual abuse– those made using artificial intelligence, computer-generated imagery (CGI), animation, cartoon, drawings and other non-live methods– as it ramps up measures against malicious content.

From August 27 to September 27 this year, its first month of implementing this measure, the network blocked 343 URLs and 16 domains containing NPI flagged by its partner Internet Watch Foundation.

The IWF has been at the forefront of combating NPI, recognizing its potential to cause significant harm to viewers and its illegal status in many jurisdictions.  On its website, the IWF said even accidental viewing of child sexual abuse material, even those made with CGI or cartoons, “can cause lasting damage for the person who stumbled upon it.”

Microsoft Introduces a More Personalized Copilot with Voice and Vision Features

Microsoft Unveils Major Update to Copilot, Elevating It into a Personalized AI Companion 

A New Era of Personalized AI Assistance 

October 10, 2024–Microsoft recently announced updates to Copilot, transforming the AI assistant into a more personalized, interactive, and intuitive part of daily life. With the introduction of voice and vision capabilities, Copilot is now more integrated than ever, offering a seamless, hands-free experience. 

Imagine beginning your day with Copilot reading the latest news or guiding you through a recipe, step by step. Thanks to its enhanced voice feature, you can now converse with Copilot as naturally as you would with a friend—simply ask a question and receive an instant, conversational response. Whether you’re organizing your day or checking the weather, Copilot is designed to support your every need. 

SHERA breaks new ground with IoT, AI-powered green systems, plans on reducing PH import dependency with soon-to-open plant

Shera’s plant in Mabalacat, Pampanga,  the sole provider of fiber cement materials in the Philippines, will be equipped with AI and IoT generated equipment

Thai fiber cement manufacturer SHERA has automated its sustainable manufacturing processes through the use of Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) tech. Not only will SHERA guarantee the speedy and eco-friendly production of fiber cement boards, but its local soon-to-open plant will also help reduce import dependency. 

FEU releases guidelines for responsible use of AI

With the growing importance of digital tools in the evolving education landscape, Far Eastern University (FEU) recognizes the need to adapt to innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) in the academic setting.

To fully utilize its benefits without compromising academic standards, the university updated its Academic Integrity policies with a set of guidelines on the responsible and ethical use of AI for its faculty and students. The guidelines aim to implement policies regarding transparency and limitations of use and place utmost importance on maintaining FEU’s principle of student-centered pedagogy and learning.

“AI has been here for a long time, and FEU welcomes its use as an educational tool. However, it should not serve as a replacement for actual students’ performance. That’s why we needed to come up with a policy highlighting academic integrity, and we also conduct workshops to guide students on the proper use of AI tools,” said Maria Teresa Trinidad P. Tinio, FEU Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

As part of its commitment to upholding academic standards, FEU recently held its annual Academic Integrity Day where students and faculty engaged in a discourse about integrity across different industries and innovations.

Pre-Order the ASUS Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ PC in the Philippines

Experience Next-Gen AI with the first-ever ASUS Copilot+ PC in the Philippines! Pre-Order the Vivobook S 15 (S5507) from July 2 to July 10 to get exclusive bundles worth PHP 26,000+.

ASUS Philippines forefronts innovation with the introduction of the  ASUS Vivobook S 15 (S5507), the first Copilot+ PC in the Philippines powered by Snapdragon X Elite processor, is available for pre-order from July 2 to July 10, 2024. 

OPPO Announces Commitment to Making AI Phones Accessible to Everyone, Bringing Generative AI Features to about 50 Million Users by 2024

Driven by the belief that smartphones are the most important personal AI device, OPPO is bringing generative AI across all OPPO smartphone product lines as it pledges to make AI phones accessible to everyone.

Alongside the development of its own AI capabilities, OPPO will collaborate with Google, MediaTek, Microsoft, and more partners across the industry to deliver enhanced AI phones experiences.

OPPO is boosting productivity and creativity with generative AI and will bring full-stack transformation and ecosystem restructuring of AI phones, empowering users to fully utilize AI. 

realme GT 6 to revolutionize user experience with its Next AI technology

Here’s how realme redefines the smartphone landscape with state-of-the-art AI capabilities packed in the upcoming realme GT 6

Following the realme GT's comeback announcement in the Philippines this year, the upcoming realme GT 6 is designed with state-of-the-art AI capabilities and is poised to introduce the realme Next AI technology to provide fans with a new level of user experience.

True to its tagline, Power Meets AI, the realme GT 6 promises to deliver an exceptional user interface that guarantees security, privacy, personalization, and customization. 

ASUS Announces Complete Portfolio of AI-Powered Copilot+ PCs at Computex 2024

Latest lineup includes creator, ultraportable, gaming and mainstream laptops to open up a new era of seamless AI experiences

ASUS today ushered in a new era of Copilot+ PCs — featuring advanced AI capability with 45+ TOPS NPU AI engines — during its Always Incredible virtual event at Computex 2024, with the launch of brand-new models across its ProArt, Zenbook and Vivobook portfolios. 

Globe harnesses AI, machine learning for enhanced network efficiency, sustainability

Globe has taken a significant leap forward in enhancing network efficiency and sustainability by implementing an innovative energy management system driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) across its wireless access networks.

The move underscores Globe's commitment to reducing energy consumption, lowering operational costs, and contributing to global climate change mitigation efforts.

The company’s wireless access cost-saving solution employs AI and ML technologies to optimize power usage across its base stations, achieving an impressive potential energy saving of 3% to 8%.

By leveraging AI algorithms to accurately forecast network usage and adjust power-saving parameters, Globe has extended energy conservation measures beyond the traditional off-peak periods of 12 a.m. to 6 a.m., enabling around-the-clock efficiency improvements.

Globe strategy chief Nikko Acosta banners AI use in Oxford talk

Globe’s chief strategist recently showcased the company’s strategic use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in enhancing business processes amid its expansion into a digital solutions platform in one of the world’s best academic institutions.

Nikko Acosta, Chief Strategy Officer at Globe and President and CEO of its adtech arm Brave Connective Holdings, Inc., addressed a class of business leaders from around the world at the University of Oxford's Diploma in Artificial Intelligence Program.

Other speakers at the event were Alice Tomlinson, Global Marketing Sourcing at the World Federation of Advertisers, and Marina Petrova, Head of GenAI at GMS, who contributed their perspectives on the evolving role of AI in global markets.

Among those in the audience were representatives from multinational giants including AWS, Microsoft, and Meta, focusing on the real-world applications of AI in Globe's operations. His talk resonated with the participants, sparking engaging discussions on the future of AI in global business practices.

OPPO Unveils AI Innovations at Google Cloud Next '24, to Feature Google’s Gemini Models on AI Phones

OPPO and OnePlus teamed up to bring a fresh AI Phone experience to over 10 million users.

OPPO shares four core AI Phone capabilities with global AI innovation pioneers.

OPPO and OnePlus to launch AI features like AI Eraser globally.

As the era of AI Phones officially unfolds, OPPO accelerates its global AI Phone strategic layout following its participation in MWC 2024. Partnering with Google Cloud, OPPO delves further into exploring a fresh AI Phone experience. Multiple AI innovations from OPPO made their debut at the Google Cloud Next '24 conference, alongside the joint announcement with OnePlus to utilize Google's powerful Gemini models.

Globe underscores need for ethical AI at Mapúa MCM Career Fair

Dennis Abella, VP for Operations Systems Support (OSS) Program Delivery at Globe, talks about the importance of ethical AI at the Mapúa MCM Career and Internship Fair.

Amid the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI), leading digital solutions platform Globe tackled the need for ethical practices and human oversight over the technology in an insightful discussion with students at the recent Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao (Mapúa MCM) Career and Internship Fair.

Dennis Abella, VP for Operations Systems Support (OSS) Program Delivery at Globe, noted how science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEM) can prepare students for future careers where AI integration is increasingly becoming indispensable.

Globe Group’s Cascadeo embarks on AI centricity in 2024

Globe Group’s Cascadeo is going all out on AI this year, a strategic decision signifying its commitment to remaining at the forefront of an ever-evolving technological landscape to better serve its customers.

Cascadeo leverages more than 17 years of industry experience in cloud engineering and operations to embrace AI, “the single most important invention of our lifetime,” said Founder and Chief Technology Officer Jared Reimer.

"In 2024, we will embark on a transformative journey from being a cloud-centric organization to becoming AI-centric. This is not just a shift in technology but a leap into the future of human civilization. Artificial Intelligence is not just a buzzword or fad - it is the key to unlocking unimaginable possibilities and solving complex problems,” he said.

Globe Group’s Cascadeo champions future of business with AI adoption

Jared Reimer, Cascadeo Founder
and Chief Technology Officer,
says AI is “the biggest
invention of our lifetime.”

Cascadeo, the Globe Group’s elite cloud-managed and professional services company, is at the forefront of pushing for integration of Artificial Intelligence in business operations with cloud as the enabling platform, as the technology continues to radically evolve the way the world works.

Cascadeo's Founder and Chief Technology Officer, Jared Reimer, recently emphasized the significance of these technologies in two insightful podcast interviews.

During his appearance on the Enterprise Podcast Network (EPN), Reimer pointed out the inevitable surge in cloud adoption driven by the complexities and demands of AI.

“You need to be cloud first. You need to be cloud native. You need to build cloud muscle memory and skill, either in-house or with a partner, because that is the foundation for all of the enterprise AI that’s to come,” he said.

This is especially true as AI platforms, particularly generative AI, are built on top of the cloud as its foundation. Cloud migration is an imperative in AI adoption, and a company that fails to do both will be at a major disadvantage.

Store-specific planogram: AI-driven trend that changes retail space planning

In the retail industry, customer expectations are straightforward: they want to easily find the products they need and enjoy a hassle-free shopping experience. If a store falls short in these aspects, it risks losing its place as a preferred shopping destination for customers. That is precisely why the foundation of a great customer experience lies in effective space planning.

Commonly referred to as a planogram, space planning involves optimizing a store's layout and product placement to enhance customer experiences and increase sales. Effective strategies include positioning high-demand and seasonal items near the entrance, ensuring accessibility and visibility in key areas, and adapting layouts based on sales data and customer feedback.

Philippines first to launch Jobstreet by SEEK’s new, innovative AI-powered platform, redefining Filipino’s job and talent search journey

Platform launch is a culmination of three years of work and >A$180M investment  

Philippines is the first in the entire Asia region to launch the new platform, which will roll out to the rest of the markets by early 2024

The new Jobstreet now leverages SEEK’s cutting-edge AI technology to offer better job matches, experiences and insights for Filipino talent and employers

Jobstreet by SEEK redefines the way talent and employers connect following the transformation of its employment platform in the Philippines. The completely new platform now uses its parent company SEEK’s world-class artificial intelligence (AI) technology to offer better job matches, new experiences and deeper insights for both Filipino talent and employers. SEEK is an Australian Securities Exchange listed company (ASX: SEK) with a portfolio of online employment marketplaces operating across Asia Pacific and Latin America.  

Globe’s next-gen leaders delve into AI and humanity at International Design Conference

Globe’s next generation leaders shared invaluable insights on the blend of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the human experience at the 7th International Design Conference, an event that marked the 50th anniversary of the Design Center of the Philippines.

Returning with more disruptive design concepts and an immersive environment that encouraged attendees to rethink limits, the two-day conference, held in cooperation with Globe, unveiled the evolving landscape and transformative potential of design.

Google deepens commitment to help build a Digital Philippines with no-cost AI skilling courses, AI Startups Cloud Program, and new Google Career Certificates

As part of its ongoing commitment to help build a Digital Philippines, Google announced today the availability of no-cost generative AI skills development courses, the Google for AI Startups Cloud Program, and three new Google Career Certificates.

Nurturing skills and supporting startups for the AI economy

To make career paths in generative AI more accessible to individuals, Google Cloud has launched generative AI skills development courses available at no cost under its Cloud Skills Boost Program. This learning path helps people understand a wide range of topics including Introduction to Generative AI, Large Language Models, Responsible AI and more. Filipinos can now seize the opportunity to build and demonstrate their proficiency in in-demand AI skills to prospective employers.