TLDR: Silicon Valley-based Filipino innovator Carlo Almendral has returned to the Philippines to launch the AIFirst Institute, an initiative aimed at providing world-class AI education while dedicating 50% of its net revenue to local nonprofits and social impact partners. The institute, supported by OpenAI, offers 16 specialized AI programs to equip Filipinos with essential AI skills for the digital future.
Seven years ago, Carlo Almendral, a Filipino innovator with deep roots in Silicon Valley, made a decision that puzzled many of his peers: he moved back to the Philippines. Despite a strong background, extensive network, and abundant opportunities in the global tech capital, Almendral saw a more significant challenge and purpose in his home country. ‘I grew up in a family of journalists and educators,’ Almendral shared, highlighting the influence of his uncle, Francisco ‘Dodong’ Nemenzo, former president of the University of the Philippines, and his mother, who worked at ABS-CBN.
Almendral’s vision was born from a desire to democratize access to artificial intelligence, ensuring it serves not just a select few but ordinary Filipinos striving to thrive in the digital age. His journey began modestly, offering free data science education to women through the Foundation for the Women’s Foundation, subsequently hiring top graduates as AI engineers. By 2019, he had already established a structured bootcamp focused on generative AI, a field dedicated to creating new solutions and applications.
This commitment culminates in the launch of the AIFirst Institute, a groundbreaking educational hub. The institute’s core mission is twofold: to deliver world-class AI education and to commit 50% of its net revenue to support local nonprofits and social impact partners. ‘We are thrilled to introduce a model that not only equips Filipinos with essential AI skills but also directly benefits the communities that need it most,’ Almendral stated. ‘This is more than just training — it’s a movement to build an AI-powered Philippines, one career and one cause at a time.’
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The AIFirst Institute’s curriculum, developed by a Filipino-led team of AI experts, is touted as the most comprehensive in the country, featuring 16 specialized programs tailored for diverse professional fields. The initiative has garnered significant international backing, with OpenAI providing crucial support, underscoring the global recognition of the importance of AI education and its responsible adoption.
