On November 4, 2024, I attended the Regional Assembly on Information Technology Education (RAITE) 2024, held at the Sports and Cultural Center (SCC) of Angeles University Foundation (AUF) in Angeles City, Pampanga. Organized by the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE) Central Luzon Region with co-hosts AUF and Bulacan State University (BSU), the event centered around the theme “Navigating the AI-Driven Future: Education, Ethics, and Innovation.” Although I did not participate in the creative or dance competitions, I took part in the preliminary stages of the Mobile Legends Tournament, representing Gordon College alongside fellow students. I also designed our team’s promotional poster and was actively involved in preparations. Unfortunately, our team was disqualified by default due to poor coordination and unclear scheduling on the organizers’ part. Despite our enthusiasm and potential to advance to the finals, we were not adequately informed about our scheduled match, which resulted in a frustrating experience.
Nevertheless, the RAITE 2024 event still provided valuable insights. One of the most impactful sessions was delivered by Mr. Edwin De Guzman, MSIT, MCP, DIT(c), who discussed “Artificial Intelligence – Future Ready Education: Balancing Ethics and Innovation with AI.” His talk underscored the dual nature of AI as both a transformative educational tool and a potential ethical risk. His insights encouraged me to think more critically about how we, as future developers and technologists, must ensure responsible AI practices, including ethical data usage, inclusivity, and user well-being. His message reinforced the principle that innovation should always be guided by a strong ethical foundation.
From a practical standpoint, I was inspired to integrate these ethical considerations into future AI-related projects. Additionally, the issues we encountered during the tournament highlighted the importance of clear communication and proper coordination in tech event management. Should I be involved in organizing similar competitions in the future, I would prioritize transparent scheduling and active participant engagement to avoid miscommunication. Overall, RAITE 2024 offered a rich blend of educational sessions and extracurricular activities. The event was well-attended, with a vibrant venue setup and professionally delivered presentations that made for a dynamic and inclusive experience.
However, improvements can still be made. Tournament coordination needs more consistency and proactive communication, ideally through direct channels such as messaging groups or formal announcements. Also, adding structured Q&A segments after each speaker session would enhance audience engagement and deepen learning by allowing participants to ask clarifying or exploratory questions.