Benilde has taken another step toward its vision of the “School of the Future” with the launch of the country’s first AI-powered School Chatbot. The initiative began in September and will be available to the public starting December 15 through the Benilde website.

The School Chatbot makes admissions more welcoming and accessible by being available around the clock, giving applicants quick answers when they need them most. Powered by Claude 4 through AWS Bedrock, it uses one of today’s most advanced AI platforms to deliver clear and reliable guidance. With the ability to respond in English, Tagalog, and Taglish, it helps applicants from different backgrounds feel at ease throughout the process. Built by Filipinos for Filipinos, it carries Benilde’s commitment to inclusion and accessibility into the digital space.

The project was led by Jeorge Gonzalez of the Digital Experience Office (DXO), with strong support from Chancellor Benhur Ong. Their involvement ties directly to the “School of the Future” roadmap, which has guided Benilde’s digital push. Benilde also partnered with ICXEED, experts in customer experience and AI wrangling, to apply the latest in AI development. Working with them is part of the College’s digital transformation journey, where each partnership brings new learnings and strengthens future projects.

The new AI-powered chatbot’s knowledge base was built with the active participation of:

• Benilde Marketing Center
• Center for Admissions, Scholarships and Grants
• Center for Institutional Communications
• Center for Institutional Helpdesk

This teamwork shows how the “School of the Future” is being built across the institution, with different groups working together to make services clearer and more approachable for students.

Benilde has a record of firsts in digital education. It remains as the only higher education institution in the Philippines recognized as an Apple Distinguished School and the first Adobe Creative Campus in the country. The School Chatbot continues this tradition, bringing technology into student services and making the admissions journey simpler and more responsive.

The “School of the Future” vision was first shared during the Ignite event in November. The School Chatbot is one way that vision is now taking shape. It shows how Benilde is reshaping the applicant experience, using technology to guide students while keeping empathy and inclusion at the center.

Benilde’s appreciation for the digital journey does not stop with student services. It also extends to the program offerings under the School of Management and Information Technology, with courses in Information Systems (BS-IS), Business Analytics (BSBA-BIA), and Business Solutions and Applications (BSBA-BSAA) that prepare students for digital and data‑driven industries. AI integration in curricula remains on the horizon, part of the broader vision of the School of the Future.

Benilde’s AI-powered School Chatbot is more than a technical project. It is the result of collaboration across offices, guided by strong leadership, and strengthened by external expertise. It shows how the “School of the Future” is being built step by step, with technology serving students in practical and meaningful ways.

Experience the new chatbot starting December 15 by visiting www.benilde.edu.ph.