When the companies that connect, power, transport, treat, and serve Filipinos can confidently confront the future of AI, the potential positive impact will be massive and expansive.
For this to happen, leaders of these companies must be prepared and skilled to use AI responsibly, safely, and for the public good. To this end, directors, advisory board members, and officers of companies led by Group Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan gathered at the 2025 Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session (ACGES) at the Meralco Theater to explore how the MVP Group can embrace change and harness artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize decision-making and boost business growth.
Decision intelligence and supercreativity take center stage
The session, titled “Decision Intelligence and SuperCreativity: Leading in the Age of AI,” featured global experts Cassie Kozyrkov, Google’s first Chief Decision Scientist and founder of Kozyr LLC, and James Taylor, a leading authority on creativity and innovation who has guided Fortune 500 CEOs and entrepreneurs worldwide. Both shared insights on how AI can unleash new possibilities for leaders and organizations.
Leadership drives AI success
“We just can’t simply adopt a technology because it’s sexy or trendy. It’s a leadership question. At the end of the day, it’s like a pilot—the pilot is the one who manages the take-off, as well as the landing,” said Pangilinan, addressing MVP Group directors, officers, and executives from companies including the PLDT Group, MERALCO, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation, Philex Mining Corporation, PXP Energy Corp., Roxas Holdings, Maynilad, Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Metro Pacific Health, Metro Pacific Tollways, NLEX Corporation, Mediaquest Holdings, Makati Medical Center, Maya, Davao Doctors Hospital, Voyager Innovations, Kayana, mWell, and Cignal, who joined the half-day hybrid session.
PLDT Director and Chief Operating Officer Menardo G. Jimenez, Jr. noted that AI differs from previous tech trends. “When AI came into the picture, the first thing that came into my mind was, is this another tech fad? The answer is no. Absolutely not. AI is the real deal, not just because of how it can be applied in the corporate world, but because of how it can influence an individual’s life,” he said. He added that as the Philippines prepares to host next year’s ASEAN Summit, AI’s potential to support regional growth will be a key discussion point.
‘AI is a leadership game’
In her talk “Winning with AI: Embracing Change and Optimizing Decisions at Scale,” Kozyrkov highlighted leadership’s role in implementing AI effectively. “Now is not the time for absentee leadership. AI is a tool for decision-making, and how we make decisions around this technology is what matters most of all,” she said. “AI is a leadership game. If you don’t have skilled leadership involved, bad things happen. When you have skilled leadership, that is when you flourish.”
Kozyrkov also stressed the importance of upskilling the workforce, especially with generative AI. “We have to teach people one of the hardest skills: the skill of seeking advice. Today, personalized advice is abundant. That’s what generative AI gets you. Judgment will be priceless—knowing whether to take advice and what to ask about is very important,” she said.
She warned against ‘work slop,’ AI-generated content that appears polished but is incorrect. “You must train your organizations to verify outputs. Just because something looks polished doesn’t mean it’s right. New skills involve knowing what to ask, how to describe what you’re looking for, and how to check results,” Kozyrkov added.
Supercreativity in the AI era
Taylor, in his talk “SuperCreativity: Leading in the Age of AI,” introduced the concept of ‘SuperCreativity,’ combining human creativity with AI capabilities. “Creativity is the engine of innovation. In the age of AI, augmenting human creativity with technologies like AI will define success.”
He emphasized AI governance to ensure systems are transparent, fair, accountable, and aligned with human values. “Rapid AI developments demand not just the right products and services but also proper governance to propel us safely into this new age,” Taylor said.
Culture is equally important for AI strategy success. “You may have a great AI strategy, but without a supportive culture, you risk wasting time and resources. Collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication are the four most valuable skills in the AI era,” he added.
Taylor also addressed the “competency penalty,” where workers hesitate to use AI for fear of appearing less competent. Companies should highlight role models and focus on outcomes, not just metrics.
Panel: AI reshaping industries
A panel moderated by Roby Alampay, PLDT Public Engagement Group and Corporate Communications Head, included Kozyrkov, Taylor, and industry leaders Blums S. Pineda (PLDT SVP and Head of Enterprise Business Group), Rocky D. Bacani (Meralco ICT and Kayana CTO), and Angelo S. Madrid (Maya Bank Director and President). They discussed AI’s impact on telco, power, and fintech, emphasizing the need to anchor AI initiatives on clear business challenges while driving transformative outcomes.
Pineda, recently appointed PLDT Group AI Business Lead, highlighted his mandate to transform operations and identify growth opportunities. Bacani explained that AI requires a foundation of Application, Infrastructure, and Data (AID) to deliver value. Madrid stressed AI’s role in scaling trust and safeguarding customers in fintech.
Strengthening governance and leadership
The Annual Corporate Governance Enhancement Session is the MVP Group’s flagship program, now in its 19th year, bringing together directors and officers to strengthen governance practices and explore emerging trends shaping business leadership.
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