GCash iGnite Innovation Summit 2025: Shaping the Future of Fintech with AI and Human-Centered Design

GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance super app and largest cashless ecosystem, successfully hosted the 2025 edition of its flagship think tank event—the iGnite Innovation Summit—at the SMX Convention Center in SM Aura Premier. Now in its fourth year, the summit brought together 76 industry partners, seven universities, and thousands of participants across diverse sectors to explore the next frontier of fintech innovation.

Under the theme “Future 4ward,” this year’s summit showcased a full day of thought-provoking discussions, immersive experiences, AI-powered engagements, and breakthrough strategies. GCash led the conversation on digital transformation, unveiling insights and innovations that aim to shape the next wave of fintech evolution.

Key partners—including Alibaba Cloud, Ascendion, Amazon Web Services, and Huawei—joined the event’s plenary sessions, while renowned thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers shared ideas on how to navigate the future.

> “We need to redesign the way we work—with people at the center. AI can accelerate processes, but human judgment, creativity, and empathy are irreplaceable,” said Pebbles Sy, Chief Technology and Operations Officer of Mynt, the parent company of GCash. “At GCash, AI handles repetitive tasks, freeing our teams to focus on solving real problems, serving better, and thinking more strategically. That’s our formula for staying future-ready—by building with AI, but always for people.”

Driving Economic Growth Through Tech

Undersecretary Joee Guilas, speaking on behalf of Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs Secretary Frederick D. Go, emphasized the transformative potential of AI and fintech in shaping the Philippine economy.

> “AI can revolutionize our economy—from streamlining supply chains to delivering personalized financial services. With our tech-savvy workforce and strong partnerships, the Philippines is poised to take a central role in the global digital economy,” Usec. Guilas shared.

Enabling a Government-Wide Digital Transformation

Also present was DICT Secretary Henry Aguda, who underscored the government’s push toward digitalization.

> “Digitalization is no longer a goal—it’s a mandate. The President has ordered all government services to integrate with the eGov app,” said Sec. Aguda. “We’re connecting the dots—from infrastructure to policy to skills—to make this transformation a nationwide effort.”

From Idea to Impact: The Evolution of iGnite

Launched in 2022, the GCash Innovation Summit started as an internal idea lab and has since grown into a platform for nationwide collaboration. By 2024, the summit evolved to focus on AI and digital trust. This year, it set its sights on building the future—not just discussing it.

Through Future 4ward, GCash aimed to empower tomorrow’s leaders by spotlighting breakthrough technologies, fostering meaningful partnerships, and creating avenues for collaboration and experimentation.

Attendees were treated to interactive installations like the “Shark AI” virtual investor panel and the “Future Finance Hub,” where GCash showcased its fintech innovations and future-facing strategies.

The summit featured four major breakout tracks:

Technology AI-Volution

Trust and Reliability

Next-Gen Enterprise

Regulatory Innovation

Crucial to the discussions were regulatory roundtables exploring how proactive policies and public-private partnerships can support a safer, more inclusive digital future. Highlights included a fireside chat with Sec. Aguda and panels on RegTech, AI governance, “Rewiring the Nation,” and Capital Markets Innovation.

> “We’re building platforms that scale fast and stay resilient—while embedding AI in everything we do, from fraud prevention to customer service,” added Pebbles Sy. “But beyond tools, it’s about mindset. iGnite exists to cultivate curiosity, challenge the status quo, and open the floor to real conversations about shaping what’s next.”

As a trailblazer in fintech, GCash remains committed to driving progress and collaboration. With initiatives like Future 4ward, the company continues to lead the charge in redefining digital finance—empowering industries, institutions, and individuals to thrive in the digital era.