GCash, the Philippines’ leading cashless ecosystem and finance super app, recently hosted the 2025 iGnite Innovation Summit at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier.
Now in its fourth year, the premier think tank event gathered 76 industry partners, seven universities, and thousands of attendees from diverse sectors to explore the next revolution in financial technology.
Under the theme “Future 4ward,” the iGnite Innovation Summit 2025 was a full day of immersive experiences, bold conversations, and discussions on future-defining strategies. The program featured renowned speakers, trailblazing innovators, and influential thought leaders, with plenary talks delivered by event partners such as Alibaba Cloud, Ascendion, Amazon Web Services, and Huawei.
Pebbles Sy, Chief Technology and Operations Officer of Mynt (GCash’s holding company), emphasized the critical role of human-centric design in the age of artificial intelligence. “We need to redesign how things are done and keep people at the center—what we call the ‘human in the loop’,” shared Sy. “Because at the end of the day, AI can speed things up, but humans bring the judgment, creativity, and empathy that make the difference. At GCash, we’re starting to see that balance—AI takes care of repetitive tasks, so our teams can focus on solving bigger problems, serving customers better, and thinking more strategically. That’s how we stay future-ready—by building with AI, but also building for people.”
Undersecretary Joee Guilas, speaking on behalf of Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs (OSAP-IEA) Secretary Frederick D. Go, further elaborated on the future of the Philippine economy, highlighting AI and financial technology as key drivers for economic growth and inclusion. “AI could redefine our economic landscape—from optimizing supply chains and creating new industries to delivering hyper-personalized financial services. With the Philippines’ young, dynamic workforce and strong tech partnerships, we are positioning our nation at the center of the digital global economy,” Usec. Guilas explained.
Empowering the Nation’s Digital Shift
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda also graced the summit, sharing insights on the government’s efforts to enable digital transformation. “Everybody wants digitalization. The President issued an executive order that all government services must interface with the eGov app. We’re connecting the dots—from infrastructure to policy to talent—because digital transformation isn’t just a vision, it’s a whole-of-government effort,” said DICT Secretary Aguda.
The GCash Innovation Summit, launched in 2022 to foster internal thought leadership, has evolved significantly. In 2024, it focused on understanding AI and digital trust. This year, the “Future 4ward” summit aimed not just to discuss but to actively shape the future of fintech and its surrounding technologies, empowering “future makers” to innovate within their industries.
Attendees participated in immersive, hands-on experiences, including the “Shark AI” virtual investor panel and the “Future Finance Hub,” both designed to showcase GCash’s commitment to shaping the future. The event featured robust breakout sessions across four critical tracks: Technology AI-Volution, Trust and Reliability, Next-Gen Enterprise, and Regulatory Innovation.
Regulatory roundtable discussions underscored the need for stronger public-private collaboration, with highlights including a fireside chat with DICT Secretary Aguda and sessions on Regulatory Tech and AI, “Rewiring the Nation,” and Innovations in Capital Markets. These conversations emphasized the crucial role of forward-thinking regulations in enabling safer, more inclusive, and future-ready digital finance in the country.
Sy concluded, “At GCash, we’re investing in platforms that can scale fast, and stay resilient, while embedding AI into how we work and how we serve—from fighting fraud, to improving customer support, to creating more personalized experiences. But more than the tools, it’s about mindset. We’re building a culture that’s curious, agile, and ready to challenge old ways of thinking. That’s what iGnite is all about—opening up space for new ideas and real conversations on how we shape what’s next.”
GCash, a renowned pioneer in the fintech space, aims to continue leading this important conversation, fostering an environment of forward-thinking collaboration to navigate digital disruption and drive the next phase of digital evolution.
