The Void is not synonymous with stagnation; rather, it's a fertile ground for exploration and discovery. By understanding and embracing the Void, creatives can liberate themselves from the constraints of expectation and perfectionism. This liberation becomes a catalyst for fresh ideas, enabling a departure from the ordinary and a journey into uncharted territories of innovation.
Navigating the Void requires a willingness to confront uncertainty and silence the noise of external influences. It's a practice in mindfulness and self-discovery—a journey into the depths of one's own thoughts and emotions. In this solitude, creatives often find the raw materials for groundbreaking concepts, discovering connections and patterns that were previously obscured.
The process of engaging with the Void is not about avoiding challenges but transforming them into opportunities. It encourages a shift in perspective, viewing obstacles not as roadblocks but as stepping stones to innovation. By understanding 'the Void' as a realm of potential, creatives unlock the door to their most authentic and impactful work, revealing the beauty that emerges when the creative spirit is allowed to roam freely. In essence, the Void becomes not an abyss to be feared, but a sanctuary where creativity thrives, and our most brilliant ideas come to life.
MANILA, Philippines, 25 April 2024 – GCash, the Philippines’ leading finance app and largest cashless ecosystem, has partnered with Connected Women, a global community of tech-powered women, to launch Elevate GAIL (Generative AI Learning). Elevate GAIL is a flagship training program for women freelancers, micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and professionals who want to leverage generative artificial intelligence (AI) for their professional growth and development.
Under the partnership, GCash will provide scholarships to 100 women who will undergo training under Elevate GAIL. This will unlock opportunities for more women freelancers as they gain knowledge and skills to work with AI, allowing them to be more efficient and productive in view of varying roles they hold at home and in the workplace.
This initiative further underscores GCash’s commitment to bringing more women in tech and providing them with access to financial services through tech-driven solutions.
GCash Chief Data Officer Sara Venturina said, “With the rise of the gig economy and remote work, more freelancers are embracing the potential of Gen AI to enhance their productivity, creativity, and earning potential. However, access has remained a significant challenge for many talented individuals. Here is where our partnership with Connected Women comes into play – by combining the resources and expertise of both organizations, we aim to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem that empowers women in the field of Gen AI, which will help facilitate women’s financial progress.”
Connected Women is an award-winning social impact organization based in the Philippines, that provides online skills development and remote work opportunities for women—the same highly skilled talent that global companies require in their businesses. The partnership between GCash and Connected Women began in 2023, with the Connected Women platform being made available under the Earn Money Feature of GCash, providing women with opportunities to work from home. To date, over 68,000 women have signed up through this channel.
"Empowering women with skills for emerging technologies, such as AI, is not just about professional growth," said Connected Women CEO Agnes Gervacio. "It's about creating a more diverse and inclusive industry. GCash was our first company in mind when we were brainstorming this program. Through this, we aim to prepare women for the changing landscape of work and the inevitable disruption of AI."
During the Elevate GAIL Program Launch last April 17, Keynote Speaker Usec. Rafaelita Aldaba, Undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry-Competitiveness and Innovation Group, said, "We acknowledge the transformative power of innovation and the vital role of women in driving technological advancement. Our partnership with Connected Women solidifies our commitment to promoting responsible AI adoption and digital transformation in the Philippines. Through the GAIL program, we empower women with online skills development opportunities, foster ethical AI practices, and involve them in shaping the tech ecosystem. This collaboration supports women entrepreneurs and cultivates an inclusive environment where creativity and opportunities thrive. Generative AI enhances human capabilities in creative tasks, design, and data analysis."
GCash remains committed to investing in women and continues to look for opportunities for more women to participate in the tech industry, whether they be the company’s leaders and team members, entrepreneurs, freelancers in the gig economy, or everyday GCash users. GCash’s other partnerships to boost the presence of women in tech include its partnership with For The Women Foundation, which led to the upskilling of women in data science, seeing a 76% new job placement rate and a 154% increase in monthly earnings of women after the training period.
Currently, 49% of women make up the company’s total workforce, and 37% of the company’s tech team is made up of women. Women are the main driver of GCash’s portfolio of services, with women making up 55% of the app’s users.
