A Filipino artificial intelligence (AI) engineer and data scientist based in the Netherlands emerged as part of a winning team in a high-profile policy conference focused on the future of Southeast Asia’s technology landscape.
AI engineer Rex Albert Villahermosa received recognition at the 2024 Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) Academy Public Policy Seminar, hosted by Fulbright University Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City.
Villahermosa is a graduate of the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman in Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and an alumnus of the Philippine Science High School-Eastern Visayas Campus.
He was part of a multinational group, which bested other participants from across Southeast Asia during the recently concluded seminar under the theme “Shifting the Tech Value Chain in Southeast Asia.”
“This memorable experience provided an unparalleled opportunity to engage with fellow Southeast Asian innovators and policymakers on the complexities of the global chip ecosystem,” Villahermosa told Manila Standard on Friday, December 20, 2024.
“Our collaborative discussions have shed light on how our region can strategically navigate the U.S.-China chip war and ensure sustainable technological advancement,” he added.
Villahermosa pursued further studies in AI in the Netherlands, where he shifted his focus towards the rapidly evolving world of semiconductor technology, with an emphasis on AI chips.
“I am truly grateful to the YSEALI Academy and Fulbright University Vietnam for this opportunity, which not only broadened my professional perspective but also strengthened our shared commitment to shaping a more resilient and inclusive tech landscape for Southeast Asia,” Villahermosa said.
At the seminar in Vietnam, Villahermosa joined 32 other competitively selected delegates from across Southeast Asia to address urgent global challenges, including the escalating US-China chip conflict.
Villahermosa was accompanied by a diverse group of Southeast Asian delegates, including Nithya Vysnavi Vadeveloo (Malaysia), Sukonphet Phonpradiitanon (Thailand), Aditya Pradana (Indonesia), Khin Kye Sin (Myanmar), and Korlakod Vannaly (Laos).
They examined how Southeast Asia “can strategically navigate these complexities to foster sustainable technological growth.”
“As the chip war intensifies, we remain dedicated to informing policy decisions. We hope that our journey stands as an inspiration for other policymakers, scientists and innovators aiming to shape the future of Southeast Asian technology,” Villahermosa sai
