VST ECS CXO Tech Summit 2026 empowers Philippine businesses to make better use of AI

Enterprise IT leaders exclusively gather at Shangri-La Boracay for four days (October 20-23) for the Annual VST ECS CXO Tech Summit.

VST ECS CXO Tech Summit 2026

VST ECS CXO Tech Summit 2026 

With the theme "Rethinking IT: Powering the AI-Driven Enterprise," the summit aims to help companies move beyond simply trying out AI and start using it to solve real problems.

This event brings together leaders from different industries, including banks, hospitals, schools, stores, factories, telecommunications companies, and government agencies. They are meeting to learn how AI can help improve their work and prepare their organizations for the future.

Photo from VST ECS

During his welcome speech, Jimmy Go, president and CEO of VST ECS Phils., Inc., explained that businesses should now focus on putting AI to actual use instead of just testing what it can do.

Today, AI can help answer customer questions, review loan applications, predict which products people might buy, organize documents, and assist in creating computer programs.

“Two years ago, AI was a demo. Last year, it was a pilot. This year, the leaders who are pulling ahead have moved it into production. Technology is no longer a department. Technology is now the business itself,” Go said.

In simple terms, Go believes that AI is no longer just something companies experiment with. It is becoming a useful tool that can help them do their jobs better and serve their customers more effectively.

Photo from VST ECS

Addressing challenges in the Philippines, the event also mentioned the rising cost of computer equipment.

Since more companies use AI, the demand for computer memory and storage has increased. This has led to shortages and higher prices, causing some businesses to delay their technology projects until 2027.

Companies must also be careful about how they store and protect information, especially private details belonging to customers and employees. Go also pointed to government policies on data residency and data sovereignty, which concern where information is stored and how it is controlled.

Photo from VST ECS

Despite these challenges, the growing number of cloud services and data centers in the Philippines could make it easier for local businesses to access the technology they need.

And to support Filipino workers with AI and help improve their work, one of the messages that was made clear by Jimmy Go is that “AI will not replace that talent. But talent that uses AI will replace talent that does not”.

Assuring that AI isn't a threat but is a tool that offers an advantage as workplaces continue to change. Businesses, therefore, need to help their employees develop new skills and understand how to work alongside the technology.

Other than that, the summit also includes discussions and learning sessions designed to help business leaders understand how they can use AI in their own workplaces.

Instead of talking only about new technology, the event focuses on practical ways companies can improve their daily operations, protect important information, and help employees work more efficiently.

By bringing together leaders from different industries, the summit also gives participants a chance to share experiences and learn from one another through breakout and plenary sessions from well-known brands such as Huawei, Nutanix, Fortinet, Dell Technologies, Cisco, H3C, HPE, HUAWEI, HP and AMD, APC by Schneider Electric, VMware by Broadcom, Adobe, Autodesk, AWS, Archer, Fastly, TrendAI, Lenovo and Synology.

As AI continues to become part of everyday life, the event highlights an important point: using AI successfully is not just about buying new computers or software. Brands also need to know what problems they want to solve and how to protect their information, as well as how to prepare their employees for the new infrastructure.

Generally, the 9th Annual VST ECS CXO Tech Summit hopes to help Philippine businesses understand AI better and find practical ways to use it to improve their work and achieve better results.