An ACM Celebration of Women in Computing: Philippine Celebration
(ACM WiC-PH Celebration)

Day 1 – May 9, 2024 (8:30 AM – 5:15 PM)

Organized by the ACM Women in Computing (ACM-W) organization in cooperation with the Computing Society of the Philippines Special Interest Group on Women in Computing (CSP SIG WIC), the 8th ACM Women in Computing – Philippine Celebration 2024 supports, celebrates, and advocates for the full engagement of Filipino women in all aspects of the computing field, providing a wide range of programs and services, working in the larger community to advance the contributions of technical women.

The organization's advocacy hinges on the recruitment and retention of as many women in computing, dissemination of information to enhance educational and career opportunities for women in the field of computing, and celebration and recognition of the accomplishments of women in computing.

More information on the CSP SIG WIC can be found at https://sites.google.com/site/roxasreo/home/community-engagement/wic
Let CSP SIG WIC know what you think: csp.womenincomputing@gmail.com
Follow CSP SIG WIC at https://www.facebook.com/CSP-Women-in-Computing-100542828932034/


8:30 AM – 8:45 AM:  Opening Program

8:45 AM – 9:45 AM:  Plenary Talk 1

Navigating AI's Potential: Choosing the Right Use Cases for Innovation and Growth
In the pursuit of leveraging AI's potential, a critical question emerges: "Where can we strategically apply this transformative technology for optimal results?" This presentation delves into the strategic deployment of AI within business contexts, offering a blueprint for identifying key use cases. Our focus centers on responsible AI adoption, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to job preservation, facilitating reskilling initiatives, and contributing to societal advancement.

Dr. Charibeth Cheng currently serves as the Associate Dean at De La Salle University's College of Computer Studies. Additionally, she holds the position of co-founder and head of Research at Senti AI. Her professional expertise centers on Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning. Her work started in 2003 and is primarily focused on developing computational resources that facilitate the processing of text written in Philippine languages. Notably, she openly shares several of these tools through various repositories to benefit the wider Natural Language Processing community.

9:45 AM – 10:00 AM:  Break

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM:  Plenary Talk 2

Responsible AI – Transparency, Accountability, and Trust
There is a need to dispel misconceptions about artificial intelligence (AI) to effectively leverage its potential for boosting workplace productivity and national development. It acknowledges the practical applications of AI, such as voice recognition, computer vision, and internet searches. However, Dr. Teehankee criticizes the exaggerated hype surrounding chatbots built on large language models like GPT-4 and its contenders, suggesting that this creates unnecessary confusion and distraction.

Dr. Benito Teehankee is a Full Professor and the former Chairperson of the Management and Organization Department of the Ramon V. del Rosario College of Business at De La Salle University (DLSU).

He handles various leadership and management topics for clients such as Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, the Social Security System, Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, DB Schenker PH, and Coca-Cola FEMSA Phils. to name a few.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM:  ACM WiC-PH Talk 1

History of Women in Computing
The speaker will share how the Women in Computing initiative has grown in the Philippines, leading to the regular hosting of the ACM Women in Computing – Philippines in collaboration with the Computing Society of the Philippines Special Interest Group on Women in Computing.

Dr. Rachel Edita O. Roxas has been selected as the ASEAN member state national finalist representing the Philippines in the senior scientist category of the ASEAN Women in Science 2022 awards (organized by ASEAN through COSTI, USAID, and the Underwriters Laboratories). Dr. Roxas was named among the top 1,000 scientists in the Philippines by the AD Scientific Index 2024. She obtained her Ph.D. in Science (Computer Science) at the Australian National University, and a second Ph.D. at the De La Salle University in Education, major in Educational Leadership and Management. She has been active in the area of Natural Language Processing, focusing on Philippine Languages.

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM:  ACM WiC-PH Talk 2

Shattering Glass Ceilings: Women in Computing Leading Through Teaching, Research, and Administration

Dr. Maria Art Antonette D. Clariño is an Associate Professor and is currently the Director of the Institute of Computer Science, College of Arts and Sciences, UPLB. She has published in several journals such as IEEE Xplore, Philippine Computing Journal, and Philippine e-Journal for Applied Research and Development to name a few. She has presented in local and international conferences for papers in machine learning, natural language processing, modeling and simulation, digital image analysis, and computing education. She is a Regular Member of the National Research Council of the Philippines and was a Board Member of the Computing Society of the Philippines Special Interest Group in Information and Computing Education for 2019-2021. Dr. Clariño obtained her BS Computer Science (magna cum laude), MS Computer Science (DOST-PCASTRD scholar), and PhD Computer Science minor in Botany (DOST-ASTHRDP scholar) from UPLB.

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM:  Lunch

1:00 PM – 2:30 PM:  CSP 25th Year Silver Celebration Workshop

2:30 PM – 2:45 PM:  Break

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM:  AI in Business

According to Forbes, there is a wide range of AI in business. This includes the ability for retailers to analyze data, manage inventory, make sound marketing decisions, improve customer experience, and use automation for repetitive tasks through Robotics Process Automation (RPA). This helps businesses and employees be more productive and gets the job done swiftly.

Dr. Ma. Rowena R. Caguiat is an Associate Professor at the College of Computer Studies and Director for Professional Training and Development at the School of Lifelong Learning, De La Salle University.

Dr. Caguiat has over 25 years in the IT Industry, specializing in Enterprise Applications (ERP), Project Management, eLearning, Instructional Design, Academic Teaching, Research, and Development.

3:45 PM – 4:45 PM:  AI in Industry

This session will delve into real-world examples showcasing how AI optimizes operations, enhances decision-making, and revolutionizes customer experiences. Discover how AI-driven technologies such as anomaly detection, predictive analytics and machine learning are transforming industries, enabling businesses to unlock new opportunities and stay ahead in today's rapidly evolving landscape. Whether you're a seasoned industry professional or an AI enthusiast, this talk promises to inspire and enlighten, providing valuable insights into the AI revolution that is shaping the future of industries.

Dr. Ann Franchesca Laguna is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer Technology at De La Salle University. She is also a member of the Bioinformatics Laboratory, the Center for Automation Research and Data Science Institute at the university. She received her Ph.D. in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Notre Dame, USA, in May 2022 under the Fulbright Scholarship. She received her MS degree in Electrical Engineering under the Engineering Research and Development (ERDT) Scholarship of the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and a BS degree in Computer Engineering from the University of the Philippines Diliman in 2012. She is a recipient of Outstanding Research Assistant at the Department of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Notre Dame and has been nominated for the best paper award at DATE 2021. She has published in top conferences and journals, including Nature Communications and Nature Electronics. She is currently the managing editor of ACM Transactions on Design Automation of Electronic Systems (TODAES).

4:45 PM – 5:15 PM:  Business Meeting

Important Dates

  • Deadline of Paper Submission for Main Conference and Student Research Workshop
    Submission Portal  
    March 17, 2024

  • Author Notification for Main Conference and Student Research Workshop
    April 9, 2024

  • Deadline of Camera-Ready Submission for Main Conference and Student Research Workshop
    April 16, 2024

  • Early-Bird Registration Deadline
    Registration Link  
    April 21, 2024

  • Author Registration Deadline
    Registration Link  
    April 21, 2024

  • Conference Date
    May 9–11, 2024