MSMEs advised to take small steps towards AI adoption

 

Speaking before the North Luzon Area Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) held in Bataan province, Uy championed technology adoption, especially in the face of widespread use of new technologies such as generative AI.

As intimidating and complex artificial intelligence (AI) tools may be, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) should take gradual but steady steps towards exploring how these could make operations more efficient and scalable, according to Converge ICT Solutions Inc. CEO and 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) Chairman Dennis Anthony Uy. 

Speaking before the North Luzon Area Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) held in Bataan province, Uy championed technology adoption, especially in the face of widespread use of new technologies such as generative AI. 

“Companies all over the world are trying to adapt to AI. Here in the Philippines, we’re barely scratching the surface. And the smaller businesses, which are just starting to embrace digitalization, have to learn new ways of doing business with the growing pervasiveness of these new technologies,” said Uy.

“AI is not just for medium to large companies. Micro and small businesses can also find a foothold in the use of the game-changing technology,” he added. “With AI adoption, MSMEs can potentially increase efficiency, reduce costs, and drive competitive edge.”

Coming from a trip to Taiwan which is known as the global hub for the semiconductor industry, Uy noted that artificial intelligence is making its way through the manufacturing value chains of most technology sectors.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. CEO and 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo (PBC&E) Chairman Dennis Anthony Uy (third from left) delivered the keynote address during the opening ceremony of the North Luzon Area Business Conference of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) held in Bataan.
IN PHOTO (from left): PCCI-Bataan President Bryan Joseph Banzon, PCCI Chairman Emeritus and ECOP and Philexport President Sergio Ortiz Luis Jr., Converge CEO Uy, Bataan Governor Hon. Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia, PCCI Vice President for Regional Affairs and Membership Bing Sibal-Limjoco, PCCI Director for Environment and Climate Change and Education and Corporate Governance Edgardo Lacson, PCCI-North Luzon Area Vice President Atty. Maria Amalia Tiglao-Cayanan, and PCCI-Region III Regional Governor Cristina Tuzon.

“If the Philippines can find a niche spot in this value chain, the multiplier to employment, skills and knowledge upgrading, and the effect on downstream industries is massive,” he said. “While micro and small businesses may not yet be able to participate in these larger value chains, where they can benefit from is by taking small steps in adapting AI tools,” noted Uy. 

From the part of the local government, Bataan Governor Jose Enrique “Joet” Garcia III pledged his support to make his province “future-ready” by hosting start-ups and supporting digitally-enabled businesses.

“We want to express the support of the provincial government of Bataan, of course together with all the local government units for the creative and innovative industry. We know this sector is the key to accelerate more productivity and growth, especially for the youth who were born adept to digital devices,” noted Garcia. 

The possibilities of AI use were experienced first-hand by micro and small businesses in the Byte Forward Hackathon jointly organized by Converge, PCCI, the Department of Trade and Industry, and Converge subsidiary Rev21 Labs. 

Converge and the participating small businesses came up with problem statements stemming from actual pain points experienced in the course of business. Ten teams of third and fourth year college students from Bataan came up with solutions aided by AI tools. 

Artificial intelligence will come into bigger focus in the 51st Philippine Business Conference and Expo organized by the PCCI. As Chairman of the Conference, Uy deliberately made the move to make the event ‘technology-forward’ and bring modern, digital solutions to MSMEs. The Conference will be held on October 20-12 at the SMX Convention Center. 

Converge Blocks 183 Billion Attempts to Access Illegal Websites in 2024, Highlights AI-Driven Threat

Chief Executive Adviser Eugene Yeo apprises Converge employees on specialized technology topics such as AI and blockchain in a bid to train the workforce on emerging technologies impacting the broader tech landscape.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc., a leading Philippine fiber broadband and technology provider, blocked a staggering 183 billion attempts to access illegal websites in 2024. This represents a significant increase from previous years and underscores the growing threat of AI-powered malicious activity.

Converge's Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Andrew T. Malijan, described the company's network as a "digital fortress," strengthened by its proactive measures.  In 2024 alone, Converge added 150,000 URLs and domains to its blacklist of illegal sites, bringing the total to 683,000.  This resulted in the blocking of nearly 20 times more access attempts compared to 2021-2023 (10-12 billion attempts).

The majority (98%) of blocked access attempts targeted websites containing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) or Online Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children (OSAEC), followed by online gambling sites.  This surge in attempts is largely attributed to the increased use of artificial intelligence by malicious actors.

Converge's Chief Executive Adviser, Eugene Yeo, noted, "These attempts are most likely AI-driven. Hackers are no longer relying on manual methods.  We're facing an AI vs. AI battle to protect our network."  He emphasized that while technology plays a crucial role, user education is paramount.  "The 183 billion attempts could easily increase. Education is the best defense."

Atty. Laurice Esteban-Tuason, Converge Data Privacy Officer invited cybersecurity expert and Asian Institute of Management Academic Program Director for the Master in Cybersecurity Philip Kwa to emphasize the importance of cybersecurity education and humans being the ‘first line of defense’ against cyber attacks. 

Converge actively combats OSAEC and other cyber threats.  Their partnership with the Stairway Foundation, a Philippine NGO dedicated to children's rights, highlights their commitment to a safer internet. Ysrael Diloy, Child Protection Specialist at Stairway Foundation, stated, "Blocking access to websites hosting CSAM is crucial in combating OSAEC.  It disrupts distribution and sends a strong message that CSAEM is unacceptable."

Converge collaborates with law enforcement (Philippine National Police) and international organizations (Internet Watch Foundation) to expand its database of illicit content.  This collaborative approach allows Converge to leverage resources and expertise to effectively combat online threats.

Senior Vice President & Corporate Compliance and Data Protection Officer Atty. Laurice Esteban-Tuason underscored Converge's commitment to human rights and sustainability.  "Cybersecurity is integral to protecting our customers and the digital ecosystem.  A secure digital environment is a sustainable one."

Converge's proactive approach, combining technological advancements with collaborative partnerships and a strong commitment to user education, showcases its dedication to creating a safer online experience for its customers.

Converge: Delivering on the Promise of AI

Converge Chief Operations Officer Jesus C. Romero spoke at length at the Dreamforce conference interviews about the specific tools Converge is using to enhance customer experience. 

Ever since the ‘mainstreaming’ of artificial intelligence via the public introduction of large language models like ChatGPT in 2022, the technology has become the new buzzword in the ICT space. Every new innovation is dubbed as ‘artificial intelligence’, and is often compounded with automation. Converge ICT Solutions Inc., for one, is determined to spell out the difference and make its operations truly intelligent, with verified AI tools that will not only make business more productive but will also create an enhanced experience for its more than 2 million Filipino customers. 

Speaking at Dreamforce 2024 - the flagship event of customer relationship management giant Salesforce -  in San Francisco, two Converge executives discussed the nuances of using AI for your business, and how Converge is decidedly exploring AI tools in its operations. 

“We wanted to do two things (with AI-powered tools). First, we wanted to give customers more self-service options that are frictionless and easy to use. Second, for our agents, they will be assisted by the Einstein co-pilot tool which prompts our agents with suggested responses,” said Chief Operations Officer Jesus “Boboy” Romero, who discussed the weaving of AI into Converge customer service operations. 

In July, through the AI tools, Converge contact center agents were empowered with access to billing, payments, and customers’ equipment details, helping them to provide more efficient and personalized support. This was in stark contrast to the old legacy system which did not give a “360° view” of the customer. 

According to Romero, further enhancements are being undertaken to ‘customize’ the AI tool to become proactive or even predictive; this means that even before the customer approaches with his query on what’s the problem with his internet connection, the agent already has a ready answer and solution for troubleshooting. 

Converge Chief Executive Advisor Eugene Yeo also touched on the founding values of Converge, which is anchored on the idea that the company ‘leaves no one behind’ in the wave of technological advancements.

With so much ‘intelligence’ especially on customer profiles, how safe are these AI tools? Converge Chief Executive Adviser Eugene Yeo puts these worries to rest, and highlights the efficiency gains to be had by Converge customer agents when these Salesforce AI tools are used.

“If you look at AI, the telco industry is very highly regulated right now and one of the key challenges is confidential data that shouldn’t be shared with an LLM (large language model). We have to make sure that whatever AI we implement has a clear demarcation and not be part of the public LLM model, but still part of the feedback loop. That’s something we appreciate in the architecture of Salesforce,” said Yeo. 

“We are implementing AI in several platforms right now, some are provided by Salesforce, some by other operators but ultimately it’s about embracing AI and utilizing it to drive customer experience. My advice to Philippine businesses is not to build these machine models yourself - that’ll take a lot of time - but to make use of what’s there in the market and leapfrog in your business. Really focus on those use cases to drive business value,” added Yeo. 

Yeo gives a glimpse of the regulatory and business environment of the telco industry in the Philippines and how AI will figure into this set up. 

A further implementation of AI is in the works with Converge data centers; with this business also poised for growth, Converge recently partnered with US-based tech giant Super Micro Computer Inc. to jointly establish artificial intelligence-ready, green data centers in the Philippines. These data centers will feature servers ready to handle AI workloads. 

“AI, in as much as it can make us ‘work smarter’ and improve our efficiency, will always be part and parcel of our operations. We can’t do without it any longer - the satisfaction of our customers depend on it,” said Yeo. 

The Dreamforce conference was held recently in San Francisco, and is one of the largest global tech events to take place this year, with an audience of more than 180,000. 

Converge and STET: Empowering Women in Journalism and Embracing AI

The Converge Corporate Communications and Public Relations team staunchly supports the STET Women in Cebu Media in its celebration of Cebu Press Freedom Week.

As part of its continued support to initiatives to empower women, leading fiber broadband and technology provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. has again engaged in the STET Media Scope Forum in Cebu, rejoining the women members of the press in the celebration of this year's Cebu Press Freedom Week.

Organized by STET, an organization of active and retired women journalists in Cebu, the forum focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Community Journalism, held on September 20, 2024.

During the event, Converge Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado delivered a message on behalf of the company which has stood with STET in its women empowerment advocacy for the second year.

"We at Converge champion women empowerment. Inspired by our President and Co-Founder  Maria Grace Uy, who is one formidable woman, Converge not only seeks to protect women’s rights and promote gender equality, but we want to support a stronger voice for women. We believe that STET shares this advocacy where we hope to see women heard and celebrated, and not intimidated or silenced," she said.

Also sharing some words regarding the forum's point of discussion, Encarnado highlighted the adoption of AI in the company's operations and reminded the attendees of some considerations, especially for its use in newsrooms.

Converge Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications and Public Relations Jay-Anne Encarnado delivered a message on behalf of the company which has been with STET in its women empowerment advocacy for the past two years.

"Being a former journalist myself, I am truly amazed at how technology has transformed the way we report the news. We recognize that while these new technologies promote efficiency and open up opportunities, there are also risks which we should be aware of, especially as journalists,” she added. 

The talk on AI was then led by Harvard University 2024 Nieman Fellow and former GMA News Online editor-in-chief Jaemark Tordecilla. 

“AI, as a tool, can help in content creation, but it can make us really lazy and before we know it, when we are trying to beat the deadline, we forget to abide by the rules for journalists. Let’s not surrender our brains, our critical thinking, our energy and stamina, our professional ethics,” Dr. Lelani Echaves-Paredes of STET highlighted in her closing remarks. 

Several members of the Cebu press, as well as aspiring student journalists from different universities and colleges in Cebu, were present during the forum.

Converge Teams Up with US Tech Giant Supermicro to Lead the AI-Powered Data Centers in the Philippines

Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy seals the partnership with a handshake with Mr. Wally Liaw, Co-Founder and Senior Vice President of Supermicro in Taiwan. 

Converge ICT Solutions Inc., a leading Philippine fiber broadband and technology company, has joined forces with US-based tech giant Super Micro Computer Inc. to pave the way for AI-powered data centers in the Philippines.

In a groundbreaking move, Converge and Supermicro have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish cutting-edge, AI-ready data centers in the country. These data centers will not only be energy-efficient with liquid cooling technology but will also boast exceptional AI computing capabilities and support for intensive deep learning tasks.

Converge will leverage Supermicro’s AI-ready server technology to support AI and Machine Learning applications in its planned, state-of-the-art data centers.

Dennis Anthony Uy, CEO and Co-Founder of Converge, expressed excitement about the collaboration, highlighting Supermicro's servers' ability to handle AI applications effectively. The partnership aims to develop Total IT Rack-scale liquid-cooled solutions, incorporating advanced NVIDIA GPUs for enhanced performance.

Converge's plans to construct three data centers in Pampanga, Laguna, and Caloocan this year align with Supermicro's future-ready design and input. The deployment of AI-driven servers in these centers will support various AI applications, including National Large Language Model (LLM) and Smart Manufacturing for Industry 4.0.

 

Converge CEO and Co-Founder, Dennis Anthony Uy, and Converge President and Co-Founder Grace Uy (center) attended the “Innovate! AI Day APAC” in Taiwan as guests of Supermicro. 

(From left) Converge CEO and Co-Founder Dennis Anthony Uy, Supermicro CEO,  President and Co-Founder Charles Liang, and Converge President and Co-Founder Grace Uy. 

By integrating Supermicro's liquid cooling solutions into their servers, Converge aims to reduce power consumption significantly, resulting in lower data center costs and a reduced environmental impact. This strategic move towards energy efficiency underscores Converge's commitment to sustainability and innovation in the tech industry.

Supermicro's liquid-cooling technology is expected to reduce overall power consumption by up to 40%, enhancing server and rack performance while lowering operational costs. As a global technology leader, Supermicro is renowned for its environmentally-friendly IT infrastructure solutions that drive innovation in Enterprise, Cloud, AI, Metaverse, and 5G Telco/Edge technologies.

The collaboration between Converge and Supermicro marks a significant milestone in the Philippine tech landscape, ushering in a new era of AI-powered data centers that prioritize efficiency, performance, and sustainability.