The second year of the nation's best meeting on AI-powered innovation heads to Cebu City, the Philippines' leading business process outsourcing hub outside of Manila, Metro Manila, to showcase real-world AI applications in the BPO and creative industries that enhance human capabilities rather than replace them.
This second AI Horizons PH Conference is scheduled for October 16th-17th, 2025 at the University of the Philippines Cebu.
Last year's first meeting at Bonifacio Global City brought stakeholders across the sector, but this year's CEBU venue aims to strengthen direct engagement with industries and communities most affected by AI transformation.
“Cebu illustrates the transformation we envision for AI integration across the Philippine industry,” said Navy Junior Prospero, chairman of the conference's program committee. “By holding a meeting here, we showcase the solutions in an environment that has an instant, measurable impact on livelihoods and economic growth.”
Cebu employs approximately 160,000 full-time BPO workers, or more than 10% of the sector's national workforce, serving as the basis for the country's $31.6 billion contact centre industry, which recorded a revenue growth rate of around 7% year-on-year in 2024.
As the BPO sector faces these challenges and opportunities, Cebu offers an ideal lab that demonstrates the positive impact of AI innovation.
The presentation demonstrates a workforce transition model that highlights the automation of intelligent processes, the AI-Aigmented Customer Service platform, and the pathways of career progression for BPO workers in the Philippines.
According to Peter SY, Vice President of Digital Transformation, AI Horizons' PH Conference “will move beyond academic debate to demonstrations of actionable AI use cases. Participants can first-hand understand whether AI applications can help strengthen security attitudes, transform key industries, and create new opportunities for Filipino workers.”
Professor Luis Sison, director of the UP Technology Transfer and Business Development Office, is empowering the high-tech startup community not only in Cebu but also in other parts of the country, as well as more industry collaborations.
“In addition to technology presenters, we will support matching industry challenges with community innovation expertise and showcase the resulting collaboration support program,” Professor Sison said.
For more information about the meeting, please visit its website AI-Horizons.up.edu.ph. (PR)
