Insider Spotlight
- PLDT and Smart promote accountability in AI use
- 1,000 student researchers participated nationwide
- This initiative is aligned with a broader digital upskilling drive
- Media literacy is key defense against misinformation
PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications are positioning digital ethics at the core of the country’s evolving knowledge economy and stepping up efforts to shape the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the next generation.
At a recent research conference held at De La Salle University and Dasmariñas High School, the major telecommunications company engaged approximately 1,000 high school students to discuss topics such as research integrity, media literacy, and the risks associated with unchecked AI implementation.
why is it important
As AI tools are rapidly integrated into academic and professional workflows, the risk of abuse, from plagiarism to misinformation, continues to rise. PLDT and Smart frame accountability as non-negotiable in this new context.
Robby Arampay, First Vice President and Head of Public Engagement at PLDT and Smart, emphasizes the need for accountability as AI becomes integral to research and professional work. |Posted photo
Robbie Alampay PLDT and Smart’s First Vice President and Head of Public Engagement emphasized individual responsibility in the use of AI tools.
“Accountability is very important to me, especially now in the age of AI. We all have to have a sense of accountability,” Alanpay said in a press statement on April 17, 2026. He added, “You can use AI as much as you want, but ultimately you have to be accountable. Having that mindset will help you stay accountable, and it will make you a better professional.”
big picture
This initiative ties in with the Group’s wider digital empowerment strategy, in particular the AI-in-a-Box program launched in 2025. The platform provides organizations and communities with the tools, training, and connectivity to bring AI into practical, everyday applications.
This marks a shift beyond infrastructure to not just accessing technology, but shaping how it is used.
Changes in driving behavior
This conference session was held in parallel with MediaQuest’s #ThinkAMuna Pilipinas campaign, which promotes critical thinking, respectful online engagement, and responsible content consumption.
Speakers from the media and communications field emphasized the need for students to question sources, verify information, and navigate an increasingly complex digital environment.
conclusion
PLDT and Smart are leveraging their scale and influence to address a growing gap in AI adoption: ethics. As AI becomes increasingly democratized, companies are betting that the long-term value lies in accountability as well as access. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Edited by Cory S. Narisma
