BAGUIO CITY – In an industry where technology evolves fast, policy and decision makers need to be on par. A two-day seminar on artificial intelligence and climate change could have started this groove for the Board of Directors (BOD) of the Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO). The seminar, “Dialogue on Artificial intelligence (AI), Ethics, and its Utilization; Green Growth and Climate Resilience as a Path for Sustainability; Cooperative Leadership and Governance; Cooperative Vote: Cooperative Political Representation and Engagement,” was held on Sept. 10-11, 2024 via the Zoom platform.
Judging from the seminar title alone, the board directors got treated to a dose of knowledge that could help them decide wisely and appropriately for the electric cooperative’s affairs. Not only AI was the focus, the activity reminded the directors of what good governance is all about.
The Philippine Cooperative Center led the seminar that drew the attendance of boar directors and chief executive officers. “The dialogue was very informative and the knowledge we gained is very important for a more effective decision-making in the BENECO board. Noteworthy, was the discussion on ethical values that reminded us about good governance and how it relates to cooperatives,” Steve Cating, BOD chairperson, said.
“It reminded us leaders to be accountable and responsible in making decisions that must be in line with good governance for the member consumer owners we represent in the coop’s board,” Claudio Calugan, a board director, shared.
Calugan said the sessions on climate change and its environmental impact made them realize their responsibility to future generations and their accountability to mother earth. “If we don’t address these issues now, our future generation will suffer”, Calugan stressed the seminar’s mix of AI and ethics must also be recognized, the directors said. By Laarni S. Ilagan
