Globe institutionalizes AI

MANILA, Philippines — Mobile giant Globe Telecom Inc. has formed a department to study the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in network operations and service delivery.

Globe said it has established the AI Development and Enablement Group (AIDE) that will be delegated with the task of exploring how the telco can maximize AI.

AIDE will start formally on June 1 and will be led by cybersecurity expert Anton Bonifacio, who was also named chief AI officer, concurrent to his role as chief information security officer.

Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said the telco decided to set up an AI department to keep up with the changing times. Globe, as a telco-to-tech provider, also wants to maximize the benefits brought about by automating some of its network activities.

“To sustain competitive advantage, we must continuously innovate and adopt new technologies. The emergence of artificial intelligence signals a pivotal shift, as it promises to revolutionize the way we do business and serve our customers,” Cu said.

“We have begun to see AI’s impact by way of the different teams across Globe having ongoing initiatives to take advantage of its benefits, but it is also imperative that we move forward with a unified intent and renewed vigor to navigate these new technological frontiers swiftly,” he added.

Cu said Bonifacio can lead AIDE given that he developed some of Globe’s innovations on data protection and digital defenses.

“The creation of AIDE signifies a strategic investment in Globe’s technological capabilities and a concerted effort to integrate AI seamlessly into our operations,” Bonifacio said.

Prior to the creation of AIDE, Globe has embarked on a development program to see how AI can be integrated in its backend and front-facing operations. The telco seeks to cut business costs and improve network efficiency in its foray into automation.

Bonifacio said Globe is automating its credit and collection, financial reporting and procurement processes. Moreover, the company has started using AI for customer care and credit scoring, particularly for its e-wallet unit GCash.

As a policy, Globe committed to come up with a set of standards for AI, understanding that it is a double-edged sword attached with risks and opportunities.

Recently, industries have seen a spike in the use of AI, particularly generative like ChatGPT, as they look for ways to speed up business processes and trim operational costs.