ILOILO City – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in Western Visayas is positioning Iloilo City as a major hub for artificial intelligence innovation in the country and the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) region as it prepares a “bigger and better” AI Festival 2026 featuring nine major events, expanded national partnerships, and international participation.
Set on Aug. 3 to 5, 2026, the three-day event marks a major expansion from last year’s AI Fest, with organizers aiming to bring together policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, educators, innovators, and tech enthusiasts in one of the country’s largest regional AI gatherings.
“We have nine events this year,” said Keithlyn Sarah Bernardino, DOST Region 6 assistant regional director for technical operations and executive director of the Western Visayas Consortium for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (WVCIEERD).
The expanded AI Festival is designed to promote the practical, ethical, and collaborative use of artificial intelligence across governance, education, industry, research, and the creative sector.
DOST-6 regional director Engr. Rowen Gelonga said the festival will also serve as a platform for advancing the Western Visayas AI Action Plan and strengthening cooperation among stakeholders in the fast-growing AI ecosystem.
“This festival is not only a platform for sharing the goals and achievements outlined in the Western Visayas AI Action Plan, but it also creates an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue and collaboration,” Gelonga stated.
Gelonga emphasized that the event aims to foster stronger collaboration among innovators, researchers, policymakers, and technology advocates.
Among the highlights of AI Fest 2026 is the national AI Hackathon competition, which seeks to attract talents from across the country and encourage the development of AI-driven solutions to real-world problems.
Participants will also showcase AI-powered products and innovations in a dedicated exhibition area highlighting Filipino creativity and technological ingenuity.
The festival will feature high-level technical conferences and plenary sessions tackling emerging AI trends, challenges, and breakthroughs, alongside updates from industry leaders on the latest developments in artificial intelligence technologies.
Other major activities include “Sine AI,” which explores the intersection of AI and the creative arts; “AI Game On!” featuring AI-powered gaming competitions; and “AI in Motion,” a robotics workshop and competition focused on practical robotics applications in different industries.
Roundtable discussions, seminars, and workshops are likewise scheduled to tackle policy implications, ethical concerns, and the evolving capabilities and limitations of AI technology.
Gelonga said organizers are also targeting participation beyond Western Visayas.
“We have extended invitations not only to local stakeholders but also to participants from outside of Western Visayas and even the ASEAN,” he revealed.
Anchored on the theme “Building an AI-ready Future, Together,” the festival is expected to draw participants from various sectors as Western Visayas pushes to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence research, innovation, and digital transformation./PN
