TELECOM | PLDT Group leaders urged to redesign workflows for AI era
More than 500 directors, advisory board members and executives from companies across the group attended the session, themed “The Next Advantage: Driving Strategic Business Growth Through AI.”
Business leaders from the MVP Group were urged to move beyond isolated artificial intelligence applications and redesign entire workflows as autonomous AI agents reshape business operations, during the 20th Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session in Makati City on Oct. 2.
More than 500 directors, advisory board members and executives from companies across the group attended the session, themed “The Next Advantage: Driving Strategic Business Growth Through AI.” The event featured Dr. Ayesha Khanna, CEO and co-founder of ADDO AI and founder of Amplify, who discussed the emerging agentic AI era and its implications for organizations.
Khanna said companies need to shift their focus from small AI applications to transforming entire business processes, while aligning technology investments with business strategy and developing the talent, governance frameworks and operating models needed to scale AI.
“To succeed in the agentic era, we must stop using old school words like ‘use case’. This notion of specific small AI achievements is no longer how people are thinking. It has failed. People now think of entire workflows,” she said.
The session also examined how businesses can measure AI returns based on meaningful business outcomes while managing risks involving architecture, security and governance.
Human judgment remains essential
PLDT Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Menardo “Butch” G. Jimenez Jr. emphasized the need to retain human judgment and accountability as organizations adopt AI.
“What if AI stops the next generation from learning how to think? What if they stop because something else is doing the thinking for them? So that’s something to be concerned about,” Jimenez said, raising concerns about the effect of excessive reliance on AI on critical thinking.
“Between betting on AI and betting on humanity, I will bet on humanity. We’ll figure it out eventually,” he added.
A fireside chat moderated by Roby Alampay, head of the PLDT and Smart Public Engagement Group, featured Khanna and PLDT Independent Director Erika Fille T. Legara.
The discussion highlighted the importance of defining business and customer outcomes before adopting AI, supported by suitable technology, data and redesigned workflows. The participants also stressed that human accountability must remain central as AI systems gain greater autonomy.
Philippines needs workers who understand AI and business
Legara said the Philippines could strengthen its position in the AI economy by developing professionals who understand both technology and business strategy.
“We are fast learners. We are digital natives,” she said, while calling for a fundamental review of the Philippine curriculum to prepare workers for future jobs.
“What we need for organizations to transform are people who understand both worlds, and who can translate the language of business and the language of tech,” Legara said.
The Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session is a PLDT Board initiative conducted in collaboration with participating companies. It brings together directors and executives to discuss governance practices and emerging trends affecting business leadership.
Full disclosure: All news articles published on the TechSabado website are written by human journalists, unless otherwise specified. Final text editing is also performed by human editors, with artificial intelligence (AI) used only to assist with additional grammar and style guide corrections..
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