I recently attended the Regional Assembly on Information Technology Education (RAITE) 2024 on November 4, 2024, at the Sports and Cultural Center of Angeles University Foundation in Angeles City, Pampanga. The event, centered on the theme “Navigating the AI-Driven Future: Education, Ethics, and Innovation,” was organized by the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE) Central Luzon Region, with AUF and Bulacan State University as hosting institutions.
The day was filled with diverse competitions that truly energized the atmosphere, from technical challenges like the ITS Exam on Artificial Intelligence and the Hackathon Programming Challenge to creative contests including Lanyard Design, Video Editing, and the Data Science and AI Challenge. What became the highlight of my experience was my unexpected participation in the KPOP/PPOP Dance Battle. I hadn’t originally planned to join the dance competition, but thanks to my friend Mahasiah Bautista’s encouragement, I decided to step in—a decision that turned out to be incredibly rewarding.
Our group performed with a mixed-gender format, blending both K-POP and P-POP influences as required by the competition guidelines. I proudly danced to choreography featuring songs like “Gento” by SB19 with an afro-inspired twist in our routine. For our intro, we performed to “Moonlight” by SB19, and during the girls’ segment, we danced to “Fire” by 2NE1. I was thrilled not only to perform but also to watch other groups, particularly the opening act whose acrobatic stunts and synchronization left me truly impressed. Though we didn’t win a trophy, the whole experience was exhilarating, and by day’s end, I felt exhausted but filled with a profound sense of accomplishment and joy.
Throughout the event, I gained valuable insights into how artificial intelligence intersects with education, innovation, and ethical responsibility. One presentation that particularly impacted me showcased Suite Scape PH, a tourism app designed with short, engaging videos of travel destinations—similar to TikTok’s visual style. This demonstration sparked my imagination about how such dynamic content could transform educational platforms. I could envision subjects like history, geography, and cultural studies becoming more interactive and captivating through similar immersive experiences rather than traditional learning methods.
I was also deeply moved by Mr. Edwin De Guzman’s session on “Artificial Intelligence – Future Ready Education: Balancing Ethics & Innovation with AI.” As an E-Learning Specialist at the College of Information & Computing Sciences, his emphasis on AI’s dual role as both a powerful tool and a source of ethical dilemmas really resonated with me. His call to thoughtfully consider the societal impacts of AI reinforced my belief that innovation should never outpace ethical responsibility.
The Hackathon Programming competition sparked familiar ideas from my past work. When one group presented Coinmare, an app designed for blockchain-based lending, I immediately recalled Fund Kabuhayan, a similar blockchain-powered lending platform I had once conceptualized in a previous thesis project. Though we eventually paused our work due to its complexity, seeing a similar concept executed successfully reignited my curiosity about how blockchain can support inclusive financial services, especially for micro-entrepreneurs.
After experiencing Suite Scape PH, I’m now inspired to explore how dynamic media could enrich learning environments in my own work. I can imagine adapting similar platforms to deliver interactive lessons through virtual tours, short educational clips, and real-time data visualization—making subjects more tangible and engaging for students like myself.
Mr. De Guzman’s emphasis on balancing innovation with ethics has fundamentally changed how I plan to approach my future tech projects. As I continue working in AI-related fields, I’m committed to intentionally building ethical frameworks into the design and deployment of my solutions, ensuring they serve not only functional goals but also contribute to societal good.
The blockchain lending app demonstration has revived my interest in blockchain’s potential to support underserved communities. Though my earlier project faced significant hurdles, I’m now considering revisiting the concept with my deeper understanding of blockchain’s current advancements and limitations, aiming to build more viable solutions in the future.
I found the overall event vibrant, well-coordinated, and engaging. The variety of competitions and sessions offered something meaningful for everyone, whether academically inclined or creatively driven like myself. I particularly appreciated how the organizers balanced technical activities with creative outlets like the dance battle, giving the event a holistic feel that blended education with entertainment. The food and refreshments were sufficient, and I had ample time to meet and exchange ideas with fellow attendees, making my experience both enjoyable and enriching.
If I could suggest improvements for future events, I would recommend better venue navigation assistance. I found the absence of clear signage and marshals made moving around slightly challenging, especially as a first-time visitor. Additionally, considering the ₱1,200 registration fee, I felt the food service could have been more organized with better seating arrangements to enhance participant comfort. I also would have appreciated more time for interactive discussions or Q&A sessions after talks and competitions, as some segments felt rushed. Having more opportunities to engage directly with speakers and panelists would make future events even more valuable for attendees like me.