20 July 2026
Artificial intelligence is changing how people learn, create, and work. As more students and professionals use AI in their daily lives, questions about creativity, integrity, and responsible use have become part of the conversation.
To explore these questions, the College held the AI Ethics Town Hall on campus on July 16, 2026. The event gathered educators, industry practitioners, and members of the Benilde community for an open discussion on how AI is shaping education and creative work, and how people can use the technology with responsibility and purpose.
The discussion opened with Chancellor Benhur Ong, who encouraged participants to look beyond what AI can do and think about the values that should guide its use. He said the College recognizes that students already use AI in different ways, and education should continue to support them as technology evolves. “We know students use AI. We want to meet you where you are. If you’re an advanced user, we have to be there also. If you don’t use it, we have to be there as well. AI is technology that we cannot ignore,” Ong said.
Throughout the discussion, panelists shared how AI has become part of everyday academic and professional work. They talked about using it to organize ideas, speed up research, improve workflows, and support creative projects. At the same time, they reminded participants that AI works best when people stay involved in the creative process and continue making their own decisions.
The conversation often returned to creativity. Mr. Noel L. Flores, faculty member from the School of Arts, Culture, and Performance, said AI can generate content from existing information, but people continue to shape ideas through their own experiences, judgment, and creativity. “There are still experiences that you can use. The human factor, our own experiences, our own taste, our discernment. The decision making is still with us,” Flores said.
Flores encouraged students to keep building experiences that fuel original ideas. The panel echoed this message by encouraging participants to engage with people, communities, art, and culture because these experiences help develop the perspective and imagination that technology cannot provide.
The discussion also explored how AI is changing the way students learn. Panelists encouraged participants to treat AI as a learning companion instead of relying on it to produce finished work. They said students still need to ask questions, verify information, solve problems, and develop their own thinking because these skills remain valuable in school and in the workplace.
Academic integrity was another important topic throughout the town hall. Speakers encouraged students to be transparent about how they use AI and to remain accountable for the work they submit. They also emphasized the importance of giving proper credit whenever AI-assisted work includes ideas or materials from other sources.
Ms. April Alianza, faculty member and NSTP Coordinator of the Center for Student Life’s Academic Extension Program, encouraged students to understand AI instead of avoiding it. She said responsible use begins with learning how the technology works and using it with intention. “Do not be afraid to know more about AI. Learn how to use it responsibly, know your purpose, and don’t forget to attribute,” Alianza said.
Students also took part in the conversation by asking questions about AI in classrooms, creative industries, and professional practice. The discussion gave panelists an opportunity to address situations that students may encounter as AI becomes more common in schools and workplaces. Rather than offering fixed answers, the speakers encouraged participants to keep asking questions, think critically about the tools they use, and make thoughtful decisions based on the purpose of their work.
The panel also featured Ms. Erika Garalde, Program Coordinator of the Multimedia Arts program at the School of New Media Arts; Mr. Jeryc Garcia, Research Coordinator for Creative and Artistic Research at the School of New Media Arts; Mr. Jeffrey Carse, Deputy Officer of the Center for Restorative Discipline; Ms. Geraldine B. Araneta, Director of the Center for Campus Exhibitions; and Ms. Angel Paulin Soriano of the Benilde Student Government. Together, they shared perspectives on creativity, integrity, collaboration, and responsible AI use from the viewpoints of educators, practitioners, student leaders, and members of the Benildean Community.
Watch the AI Ethics Town Hall replay to hear the full discussion from the panelists and participants.
The town hall continues Benilde’s broader conversation on the role of artificial intelligence in education, creative practice, and student development. It builds on the College’s initiatives, including its School of the Future vision, AI-powered school chatbot, and discussions on AI in global affairs, while encouraging students, educators, and creative practitioners to shape the future of AI through responsible, thoughtful, and human-centered use.
