Photo Credit: All photos used in this article were sourced from the AI Fest Facebook page post.
The University of the Philippines Resilience Institute (UPRI) participated in the 2026 Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fest, held from August 3 to 5 at the Iloilo Convention Center, joining discussions on how artificial intelligence can be applied to challenges affecting communities, industries, and different sectors of society.
UPRI’s participation was highlighted on Day 2 through Dr. DJ Darwin R. Bandoy, Director of the Research and Creative Work Division (UPRI-RCW), who presented during the afternoon’s Innovation Colloquium. His presentation focused on the use of artificial intelligence and genomics for earlier dengue outbreak detection, bringing a public health and disaster resilience perspective to the event’s discussions on emerging technologies.
The afternoon sessions explored applications of AI and data science in governance, weather forecasting, geospatial technologies, and national development. The discussions highlighted how data and emerging technologies can support evidence-based decision-making and contribute to smarter and more resilient communities. Under the theme “Advanced Technologies for Industries and Communities,” the Innovation Colloquium featured researchers and innovators presenting AI-powered solutions addressing real-world challenges in areas such as agriculture, mobility, healthcare, disaster resilience, manufacturing, food innovation, and governance.
The presentations reflected the growing range of applications for AI while also emphasizing the importance of collaboration in bringing research and innovation closer to practical use. The colloquium highlighted the role of academe, government, industry, and communities in developing solutions responsive to real-world needs.
The 2026 AI Fest carried the theme “Building an AI-Ready Future, Together” and featured conferences, competitions, exhibitions, workshops, and policy discussions focused on the practical, ethical, and collaborative use of AI across governance, industry, education, research, and the creative sector. Among its featured activities were the AI Technical Conference, AI Hackathon, PGDX AI Expo, SineAI, AI Game On!, AI in Motion, AI Speaks, AI Connect, and the AI Policy Lab.
The festival was led by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST)-Western Visayas, with participation from government, academic, industry, research, technology, and innovation organizations. Its collaborating partners included the Department of Economy, Planning, and Development (DEPDev) Region 6; Iloilo Science and Technology University; West Visayas State University; Western Visayas Consortium for Industry and Energy Research and Development; Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI)-Western Visayas; Iloilo Business Club; DevCon Visayas; UMWAD Western Visayas; Game Developers Association of the Philippines; Mechatronics and Robotics Society of the Philippines (MRSP); BINHI Technology Business Incubator; Global Shapers Community Iloilo; Red Gutz Trading; Cornelius Magnate; and PrimeAxis Technology Corporation.
UPRI’s participation in the 2026 AI Fest reflects its engagement in the growing intersection of artificial intelligence, research, public health, and resilience. As emerging technologies continue to open new possibilities for addressing complex challenges, spaces for interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration remain important in advancing solutions that can respond to the needs of communities.