Committed to uplifting communities and creating pathways to sustainable livelihoods, Aboitiz InfraCapital (AIC) has joined forces with Connected Women, an innovative social enterprise dedicated to enhancing women’s technological skills, in an effort to empower 100 Filipino women through a specialized Artificial Intelligence (AI) data annotation training program. This partnership was formally established through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement on August 14, 2023, at the AIC office in BGC, Taguig.
Through this collaboration, AIC will support Connected Women’s flagship initiative known as Elevate AIDA. This initiative is designed to offer women in vulnerable and marginalized sectors of society access to free online training in data annotation and digital skills, enabling them to qualify for positions in the burgeoning global artificial intelligence industry. Initially, the program will focus on college undergraduates, unemployed graduates, and unemployed mothers from Davao, forming its pilot batch. The program will subsequently expand its reach to communities in identified areas across Luzon and Visayas.
Cosette Canilao, President and CEO of AIC, emphasized the significance of knowledge as a tool for empowerment. “We view this opportunity as a way to assist Connected Women in fostering online skills development and eventually providing remote work prospects for women,” Canilao remarked. She further highlighted the alignment of this initiative with AIC’s core purpose of enabling business growth and uplifting communities, ultimately contributing to the long-term betterment of individuals’ lives.
The Elevate AIDA training program will encompass a combination of online and classroom courses, complemented by practical on-the-job training. It will encompass diverse subject matters, ranging from data labeling techniques and remote work best practices to fundamental professional communication and computer skills, all of which are highly relevant in the digital remote work landscape. Additionally, the program will cultivate a supportive ecosystem that encourages networking, collaboration, and mentorship, thereby fostering the holistic growth of participants.
Agnes Gervacio, CEO of Connected Women, emphasized the transformative impact of the Elevate AIDA program on its participants. “When women are part of Elevate AIDA, they do not merely graduate as data annotators or technology professionals. They emerge as individuals who have undergone a significant personal transformation,” Gervacio explained. “They approach the future with a renewed sense of excitement and possibilities,” she added.
