[2023-2024] Benilde Highlights AI and Inclusive Workplaces at the 2024 CSR Conference and Expo

De La Salle–College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) reaffirmed its leadership in promoting inclusive and future-ready education as Center for External Linkages (CEL) Director Sherlo Reyes took the stage as a speaker at the 2024 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Conference and Expo, held on July 3, 2024, at Dusit Thani Hotel, Makati City.

In his talk titled “AI and Inclusion at Work,” Reyes presented an insightful exploration of how artificial intelligence (AI) can serve as both a challenge and a catalyst for greater inclusion of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the workplace. He discussed the current landscape of PWD work inclusion, identified existing challenges, and offered a forward-looking perspective on how organizations can leverage technology to foster equitable and accessible employment environments.

Reyes underscored the vital role of the academe in driving inclusive innovation, emphasizing that schools and universities must play a more active part in preparing students—both with and without disabilities—for the evolving demands of the digital workforce. He challenged participants to go beyond traditional on-the-job training partnerships, calling for deeper collaboration through curriculum co-development, shared resources, joint research projects, and micro-credentialing initiatives.

By weaving together the themes of technology, education, and social inclusion, Reyes’ message inspired corporations and educators alike to reimagine how they approach corporate social responsibility in the age of AI. His call to action reflects Benilde’s unwavering mission to create transformative partnerships that empower communities, embrace diversity, and prepare future professionals for an inclusive, tech-driven world.

Through engagements like the CSR Conference and Expo, Benilde continues to strengthen its role as a bridge between industry and education, leading the movement toward workplaces—and a society—that value both innovation and inclusivity.