GCash underscored the role of responsible artificial intelligence in expanding financial access, improving literacy, and supporting safe digital innovation across the Philippines and ASEAN.
GCash, the country’s leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, emphasized the importance of responsible artificial intelligence as a driver of inclusive and sustainable growth during the 2026 National Innovation Day held at Diamond Hotel Manila.
Organized by the Depdev National Innovation Council in partnership with ASEAN, the event gathered policymakers, government leaders, and industry stakeholders under the theme “AI for Growth, Opportunity, and Sustainability in ASEAN (AGOS).” Discussions focused on how emerging technologies can be scaled safely and responsibly across the region.
During the forum, Mynt Chief Data Officer Sara Venturina shared how GCash uses data and AI to help make fintech services more accessible to Filipinos.
“If we don’t use technology responsibly, it will lead to more inequality,” Venturina said. “At GCash, we harness the power of data and AI to help move Filipinos toward financial progress, while ensuring that inclusion remains at the center of innovation.”
Venturina said GCash’s AI strategy is focused on improving customer outcomes while maintaining strong standards for data privacy and protection. This includes evaluating how AI systems are deployed to ensure they improve efficiency without weakening accessibility, fairness, or trust.
She also called for stronger industry-wide standards as AI adoption expands.
“As AI scales, the question is not just how we build these systems, but how we ensure they remain fair, safe, and accessible,” she said.
GCash also reinforced that accountability in data protection remains constant, regardless of where data is stored.
“Whether the data resides locally or in a data center, the responsibility to protect that data remains with us, and we take that seriously.”
The company also highlighted the role of emerging privacy-preserving technologies that allow institutions to use data safely while protecting users’ trust.
The broader National Innovation Day discussions included insights on national innovation policy and digital transformation from government leaders, including Department of Science and Technology Secretary Dr. Renato Solidum, Department of Education Secretary Atty. Juan Edgardo Angara, and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.
As AI adoption continues to grow in the Philippines and across ASEAN, GCash reaffirmed its commitment to working with government and industry partners to promote responsible innovation, strengthen financial literacy, enhance data governance, and expand access to digital financial services.
