Aboitiz Group launches data science, AI arm

SINGAPORE – Cebu-based conglomerate Aboitiz Group has unveiled its new leg of growth, a data science and artificial intelligence (DSAI) company called Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI), in an official launch here, touting the limitless possibilities that data can offer in creating a better future.

At the ArtScience Museum at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands, ADI kicked off ADI: Let’s Press Start, to showcase the possibilities that DSAI can offer to accelerate transformation in key sectors such as financial services, power, and smart cities to help build a data-driven future.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures president and CEO Sabin Aboitiz said ADI would be the conglomerate’s new leg of business as it underpins the group’s Great Transformation journey to become the Philippine’s first ‘techglomorate.’

Aboitiz said ADI would play two roles in the conglomerate – the operationalization of DSAI across all its business units and as a new business that could provide the same services to other companies and to the government.

“We want to be the data backbone of the country. We can provide solutions to stir up industries,” Aboitiz said.

ADI’s operationalization may be summarized into three segments: revenue opportunities, operational efficiencies and risk management.

“Data is the new oil or gold. Its value and currency is firmly and permanently established, and strengthening by the minute. To seize it would be imperative, which is exactly what we are doing here today with the launch of Aboitiz Data Innovation, and with our ongoing Great Transformation into a fully data-driven techglomerate – the first of its kind in the Philippines. Companies around the world are embarking on this journey themselves, and the ones that are able to create the most value from data-supported capabilities will progress the fastest,” Aboitiz said during the launch last week.

ADI aims to simplify the complex world of data and enable the different units in the conglomerate, its partners, other companies including competitors and governments to build on their new and existing data to create innovative DSAI-enabled products.

These DSAI-enabled products, in turn, are meant to solve business, environmental, social, and governance challenges, said ADI CEO David Hardoon during the launch.

“ADI is revolutionizing how data is used across industries, sectors, and borders,” said Hardoon.

“Through tried and tested DSAI frameworks, ADI brings together the science and domain knowledge to enable companies to focus obsessively on its operationalization. We’re excited to see the business- and people-centric, quantifiable impact the activation of DSAI will have on customer services, operational efficiency, and risk management,” he added.

One example Hardoon cited is improving the Aboitiz Group’s cement business. ADI looked for variables that affect cement strength more significantly than others.

With AI-based prediction on product quality, operators now have a better foresight on production quality even before cement curing, he said.

Another example is early detection of faults in power plants.

An AI model can receive real-time data from power plant sensors and can catch unusual sensor readings indicative for example, of tube leak events.

The model is capable of detecting leaks five to 14 days earlier than current operations. This in turn, lowers repairs costs and downtime and increases operational efficiency.

ADI, headquartered in Singapore, is leveraging on Singapore’s position as a leading technology hub, to strengthen its commitment and foothold in the region over the next five years through increased investment and strategic partnerships.

With the support of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), ADI will drive the company’s push in hiring more talent in Singapore and establish its DSAI advisory services and products offered in the region.

Tan Kong Hwee, EDB executive vice president said the Aboitiz Group’s expansion of its DSAI arm , is testament to Singapore’s hub status in Asia for innovation and technology.

EDB will continue to catalyze and support companies’ growth and transformation strategies in the region. We warmly welcome ADI’s plans, which will provide desirable job opportunities for Singaporeans and contribute to the growth of Singapore’s diverse DSAI talent pool,” he said.