Weaving Tomorrow's Techscape: Key Takeaways from SOSCONPH 2024
SOSCONPH 2024 highlighted the transformative role of open-source technology in innovation. The conference featured discussions on AI ethics, speech and vision, language models, and applications in business. Attendees were inspired to explore new frontiers and collaborate for a brighter tech future.
The OSSPH team had an unforgettable experience at the Samsung Open Source Conference Philippines (SOSCONPH) 2024. The event demonstrated how open-source technologies may shape the future of innovation.
As a community partner, OSSPH actively engaged in the conference, interacting with guests at our booth and taking part in numerous activities. This year's theme, "Weaving Tomorrow's Techscape," demonstrated how open source transforms the industry and connects people.
SOSCONPH 2024 took place on October 12, 2024, at Novotel Manila and brought together renowned technology experts. The event featured thought-provoking talks, fascinating lectures, and a vibrant community of technology enthusiasts. The various speakers, including AI researchers, engineers, startup leaders, and academics, provided unique insights into the changing landscape of artificial intelligence, open-source software, and their applications.
One of the highlights was Carlos Catalan, an engineer from Samsung R&D Institute Philippines' Network R&D division. Catalan emphasized the importance of open-source frameworks in promoting ethical AI development during his presentation on "Open Source and AI Ethics." He emphasized the importance of transparency, user privacy, and the development of beneficial AI technologies. His message resonated with me, reinforcing the concept of "Learn. Share. Network." as a guiding principle for developers building human-centered and ethical AI systems.
Jessan Rendell Belenzo, a Multimodal Learning Researcher at the University of the Philippines, gave a captivating presentation on "Enhancing the Robustness of Speech Foundation Models through Adaptation on Large-Scale Diverse Speech." His research on SpeechGPT, a model capable of understanding both text and speech, emphasized the importance of training AI models on various speech data to improve their performance across different speech domains. Belenzo's research demonstrated significant improvements in speech recognition accuracy, emphasizing the need for continuous adaptation in AI development.
Engr. Aunhel Adoptante from the Department of Science and Technology - Advanced Science and Technology Institute shared insights on "Harnessing the Power of Open-Source Large Language Models in Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)." He discussed how integrating open-source LLMs with RAG frameworks can significantly improve the relevance and accuracy of AI responses. Additionally, Engr. Adoptante discussed the practical obstacles and ethical implications posed by deploying these models in real-life situations.
Andoy Montiel, Chief Data Officer at Packworks, presented "Tech Meets Tradition: Boosting Sari-Sari Store Sales through AI and Hyper-Targeted Strategies." He demonstrated how AI can transform traditional sari-sari stores by providing personalized recommendations and targeted marketing campaigns. Montiel's perspective on combining technology with local business methods resonated with the audience, demonstrating the power of AI to improve everyday lives, even in small businesses.
The event buzzed with energy as attendees enthusiastically engaged in activities, connected with speakers, exchanged ideas, and explored the latest technological advancements. Adding to the excitement, a raffle and buzzer game offered attendees the chance to win prizes. At the event's conclusion, everyone received a tote bag, and OSSPH was recognized for its contributions as a community partner.
OSSPH had a strong presence at the event, hosting a booth where we engaged with a diverse group of developers, students, and industry professionals. We distributed freebies such as notebooks and stickers, particularly as the event came to a close. It was nice to see participants' enthusiasm as they eagerly interacted with us, whether to claim OSSPH goods or discuss new collaborations.
SOSCONPH 2024 was more than a conference, it was a celebration of open-source innovation, collaboration, and technological progress. It showcased Filipino talent, inspiring attendees to think critically, act ethically, and explore new frontiers through open-source solutions. The event covered a variety of topics, from AI ethics to speech recognition, providing valuable insight into the future of technology.
The potential of open-source technology seemed limitless as we left the conference. SOSCONPH reminded us that by learning, sharing, and collaborating with the global tech community, we can shape a more inclusive technological future.
Thank you to all attendees, speakers, and organizers for making SOSCONPH 2024 unforgettable. We look forward to continuing partnerships and collaborations that drive innovation. Together, let’s weave tomorrow’s techscape!
About the author
Paula Isabel Signo is a technical writer at OSSPH and a web developer. In her free time, Paula contributes to various open-source projects, volunteers in the community, and shares her knowledge by writing articles and tutorials. Connect with Paula here to learn more about her work and interests.