On July 23, 2025, the SMX Convention Center Aura in Bonifacio Global City will become the hub of the country’s AI conversation as AICON PH 2025 brings together decision-makers, professionals, educators, and students for a full day of learning, collaboration, and community.
Now on its 10th year, what started in 2016 as the Big Data Analytics Conference has grown into a national platform for learning, exchange, and collaboration. Today, AICON PH reflects how far the conversation has come—from data to intelligent systems, from hype to hands-on use. Through the years, the goal has stayed the same: to make advanced technologies more useful and more accessible to more people.
This year’s theme, “Making AI Real, Making AI Matter,” reflects this direction. It is a response to all the noise and hype around AI. Instead of just talking about the future, AICON PH 2025 focuses on what’s already working, where help is needed, and how we can make AI more helpful, fair, and accessible for more people.
This year’s event will focus on the people and principles behind AI. Plenary sessions and panels will explore the human side of AI—how it affects the way we live, work, and learn—as well as the growing conversation around sovereign AI and national capacity. The breakout sessions will offer practical stories and lessons on a wide range of topics, including agentic AI, turning insights into real impact, building an organization of innovators, and reimagining learning for those outside traditional education systems.
What is AICON PH?
AICON PH is the Philippines’ flagship learning event on artificial intelligence, focused on promoting practical, inclusive, and accessible AI for everyone. Organized by the Analytics & Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP), AICON PH builds a bridge between curiosity and capability—helping Filipinos better understand AI, not just as a technology, but as a tool for real-world problem-solving in communities, classrooms, and companies.
The event is designed for everyone—from software developers and business analysts to educators, business leaders, policymakers, and students. Its mission: make AI education part of our national learning agenda and ensure no one gets left behind in the age of intelligent systems.
A Powerful Lineup of Speakers and Panelists
This year’s keynote stage features a powerful mix of local and international voices on AI, including:
Michelle Alarcon, President of AAP
Arsenio Balisacan, PhD, Secretary of the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev)
Edwine Carrie, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines Resident Representative
Pedro Campelo, Partner at LTPlabs
Wing Kin Cheung, President & CEO of BEEINFOTECH
Two high-impact panel discussions will also unpack thought leadership on the human side of AI and sovereign AI. The panels will feature leaders from Alibaba Cloud, AWS, BeeInfoTech, Google, LTPlabs, SGV & Co., and UNDP.
Breakout Tracks for Every Role in the AI Ecosystem
In the afternoon, participants can choose from five focused breakout tracks based on their role and interest: Developer, Development Manager & Tech Leader, Strategist & Business Leader, Deployer, and Educator.
These tracks go beyond theory, offering hands-on learning, case studies, and live demonstrations. Among the highlights:
Globe Telecom shares how it built an organization of AI innovators.
GCash leads a Moral Imagination Workshop on ethical AI strategy.
Cambridge University Press & Assessment explores AI in education.
RCBC gives a behind-the-scenes look at ML/AI Ops in banking.
Ayala, San Miguel Corporation, Globe, and Sprout join a fireside chat on applied AI in business.
Eskwelabs hosts a live AI showcase for executives and leaders.
Sandiwaan Center for Learning leads a discussion on AI and inclusive learning.
The day will also feature the awarding of the winners of the 1st National AI Prompt Design Challenge organized by Straits Interactive and AAP.
Collaborators and Key Supporters
This year’s event is made possible through the support and collaboration of key partners and organizations who share the same vision for a more inclusive AI future. AICON PH 2025 is proudly organized by the AAP together with co-organizers Alibaba Cloud and BeeinfotechPH, and co-presented by JPMorganChase, LTPlabs, and SGV & Co.
Official ambassadors include Acer, AMD, Ayala Corporation, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, Google, and PMI Philip Morris International. Our session sponsors include Accenture, AWS, Eskwelabs, GCash, Globe, and Káyana; while De La Salle – College of Saint Benilde, Emerson, Insight, KPMG, Multisys, N-PAX, Philtech, and Stratpoint are featured exhibitors. We are also grateful for the support of QBE Insurance, Reyes Tacandong & Co., San Miguel Corporation, and ST Telemedia Global Data Centres.
The event is also made possible with the help of its media partners NEN Digital, Manila Bulletin, Manila Standard, Business Mirror, Business World, Malaya Business Insight, VRITimes, Philippines Graphic, Kwento Co, Out of The Box Media, Village Connect Magazine and WhenInManila.com.
About the AAP
The Analytics & AI Association of the Philippines (AAP) is the National Industry TVET Board for Analytics & AI championing the responsible and inclusive use of data and artificial intelligence in the country. AAP leads national conversations, develops industry-academe-government partnerships, and builds tools, frameworks, and learning ecosystems to help Filipinos thrive in the age of data and AI. Visit www.aap.ph for more information.
This press release has also been published in VRITIMES
