I had the opportunity to attend the GDG DevFest Baguio 2024, an inspiring developer conference hosted by Google Developer Group (GDG) Baguio, held at the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City. This event marked my first time joining a Google-affiliated gathering, and it proved to be a memorable and enriching experience. Traveling with my group from Olongapo to Baguio, we were warmly welcomed upon arrival by friendly staff and volunteers. The venue was spacious, well-organized, and thoughtfully prepared. Each attendee received a customized ID badge featuring a BINGO card on the back—an interactive and creative way to encourage engagement and networking throughout the day. The atmosphere was lively, with participants exploring booths, taking photos, and joining activities. Although we didn’t manage to complete the BINGO card challenge, the experience was fun and fostered a sense of community.
The event featured a diverse lineup of speakers and sessions that provided deep insights into emerging technologies and trends. A highlight of the program was the speech delivered by Baguio City Mayor Hon. Benjamin Magalong, who outlined his vision for transforming Baguio into a smart city through innovations in governance, infrastructure, and sustainability. His presentation resonated with the event’s theme of using technology to uplift communities. One session that particularly impacted me was led by Ms. Estrella Bravo, who spoke on “Material Design and AI: Enhancing User Interface with Artificial Intelligence.” Her talk introduced practical applications of AI in improving UI/UX, such as behavior-based personalization, intuitive interaction design, and smarter prototyping. This session expanded my understanding of how machine learning can be used to improve the user experience and design process.
Beyond the technical content, the DevFest emphasized the importance of community-building among developers. I gained a stronger appreciation for how local and global tech communities can support innovation through open-source collaboration, mentorship, and shared learning. Inspired by Ms. Bravo’s talk, I plan to explore integrating AI tools into my design workflow—such as using predictive models to enhance usability or employing adaptive systems that adjust to users’ needs. Mayor Magalong’s vision also made me reflect on how developers like myself can contribute to smart community initiatives, for example, by creating civic engagement tools, dashboards, or platforms for open data collaboration. Additionally, learning about the evolving principles of Google’s Material Design gave me practical insights to improve the accessibility and usability of my own design projects.
The event was well-executed, with approachable organizers, a smooth program flow, and creative engagement elements. The use of the BINGO card, interactive booths, and complimentary food made attendees feel valued and involved. The variety of topics—from technical innovations to community impact—made the program both inclusive and well-rounded. However, I noticed some areas for improvement. While the venue was generally comfortable, it became overcrowded during peak times, and food options were limited inside the premises. It would be beneficial for future events to collaborate with food vendors to offer on-site meal options. Also, because multiple breakout sessions were scheduled simultaneously, attendees were often forced to choose between equally interesting talks. Offering session replays or recordings would allow participants to catch up on missed content, and repeating some sessions at different time slots could enhance accessibility.
Overall, DevFest Baguio 2024 was a valuable learning experience that broadened my understanding of AI, UI/UX, and the importance of collaborative tech communities. It left me excited to continue exploring ethical and innovative applications of technology in both local and global contexts.