Spearheaded by the Internal Audit Group of PLDT and Smart Communications in collaboration with the Internal Audit teams of the MVP Group and JG Summit Holdings, the International Internal Audit Awareness Month forum featured a panel discussion on responsible AI adoption, governance, and innovation. Pictured (L-R) are David Gulliver Go, Chief Human Resources Officer of JG Summit and Director of Cebu Air; Francis Flores, Global Managing Director of Pickup Coffee; and Dr. Erika Legara, Director and Chief Data Officer of the Philippine Center for AI Research. The discussion was moderated by Gian Lao of PLDT and Smart’s Public Engagement and Corporate Communications Group.
As artificial intelligence becomes deeply integrated into business operations, technology leaders are emphasizing that strong internal audit functions are essential to ensure AI systems remain reliable, secure, and responsible.
Speaking at a forum organized by the Internal Audit Group of PLDT Inc. and Smart Communications during International Internal Audit Awareness Month, Dr. Erika Legara, Director and Chief Data Officer of the Philippine Center for AI Research, said internal audit plays a critical role in identifying unintended consequences that AI developers may overlook.
Legara stressed that internal audit should be viewed as an enabler of innovation rather than an obstacle, helping organizations evaluate how AI systems perform in real-world environments while minimizing risks. She added that organizations that avoid scrutiny risk prioritizing speed over accuracy, particularly as AI adoption accelerates.
The event, held in partnership with the MVP Group and JG Summit Holdings, gathered around 1,700 executives and professionals both online and onsite to discuss responsible AI deployment, governance, cybersecurity, and digital transformation.
PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan highlighted that trust remains the foundation of every business, while former Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban underscored the growing importance of internal audit in addressing technological disruption, cybersecurity threats, and evolving business risks.
PLDT Chief Operating Officer Menardo “Butch” Jimenez Jr. emphasized that although AI can automate many tasks, accountability, integrity, and human instinct remain uniquely human qualities that technology cannot replace.
During the panel discussion, JG Summit Chief Human Resources Officer David Gulliver Go said the conglomerate is taking a cautious approach to AI implementation by involving end users and internal audit teams to identify potential security vulnerabilities and data leak risks before deployment.
Meanwhile, Pickup Coffee Global Managing Director Francis Flores noted that startups should prioritize strong internal systems and governance before scaling AI initiatives, describing these processes as essential guardrails for sustainable growth.
Looking ahead, Legara said the future of internal audit will require professionals who combine technical knowledge of emerging technologies with the humility to collaborate with experts, enabling organizations to ask the right questions as AI continues to evolve.
