Republic of the Philippines

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Role of Emerging Technologies in Innovation

“AI, IoT, Blockchain”

In Partial Fulfilment
Of the Requirements of the Degree
Bachelor of Science in Entrepreneurship
Open University

at

ENTR 202
Innovation Management

Encina, Kent Lou Jay L.

PROF. MARK GUEVARA

SY 2024-2025, 1st Semester

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

ABSTRACT

The amalgamation of new technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), the

Internet of Things (IoT), and Blockchain are redefining the innovation frontier in

diverse industries. Beyond boosting operational efficiencies, these technologies are

also transforming business models and customer experiences. As per Prakash and

Thakur 2024, AI, Blockchain and IoT are Essential Drivers of Digital Transformation

allowing organizations to create new products and services to meet changing market

needs. This family of technology classes provides engineers as well as business and

systems analysts the opportunity to integrate those technologies into creative

solutions.

From data management and predictive analytics to decision-making, AI is

central to enhancing how IoT systems work. Author Unknown (2024) A systematic

review pointed out that the functionalities of AI dramatically optimize both efficiency

and security among IoT applications, especially in applications such as healthcare.

Harnessing AI algorithms to handle pattern recognition and human interaction

enables institutions to produce systems that respond to user demands and develop

data collection from raw ongoing data flow.

These advances are further supplemented by blockchain technology, which

delivers a verified mechanism for sharing data among distributed networks. In

industries such as finance, its application has shown that it has the potential to boost

transparency and trust between parties involved (Spalazzese, 2024). Integrating AI

with Blockchain allows businesses to analyze data at an unprecedented level, as

well as track records of transactions securely. It is clear that the interconnectedness

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
of AI, IoT, and Blockchain is fundamental in ensuring that sustainable innovation can

thrive in an ever-growing digital landscape — something that companies will

continue to pursue as they uncover these synergies.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................3
METHODOLOGY...................................................................................................................4
KEY FINDINGS.......................................................................................................................4
ANALYSIS..............................................................................................................................10
1. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT..........................................................................10
2. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT....................................................................................18
3. GUEST AND STAFF AWARENESS...............................................................................19
RECOMMENDATION.........................................................................................................25
DOCUMENTATION.............................................................................................................27
REFLECTION.......................................................................................................................28

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

INTRODUCTION

Emerging technologies these days are playing a pretty significant role in

making innovations better in every sector and among these technologies include AI

(Artificial Intelligence), IoT (Internet of Things), and Blockchain. Far from simple

tools, these technologies are transformative agents reshaping the ways that

businesses operate, compete, and deliver value to customers. AI enables data-

driven decision-making and automation, helping organizations improve operational

efficiency (Spalazzese, 2024). Combining AI and IoT systems unlocks this potential

even further and offers advanced functions such as pattern recognition and

predictive analytics, which can maximize functionality across several applications,

especially in healthcare (Roa & Almisned, 2024). This will come to pass as

blockchain technology brings forth a new way to trust and secure transactions.

Blockchain establishes transparency and immutability by providing a decentralized

ledger that records transactions, thus increases accountability among stakeholders

and minimizes the risk of fraud. This attribute is essential for sectors where trust is

vital, including finance and supply chain management (Spalazzese, 2024).

Furthermore, an integration of blockchain and artificial intelligence may

improve data integrity while engineering new business models that align with

changing customer needs.

To summarize, the convergence of AI, IoT, and blockchain represents a new

wave of digital transformation strategies driving sustainable growth in organizations.

These technologies are not only critical drivers of innovation but also force firms to

reshape their ways of working to exploit their potential (Spalazzese, 2024; Roa &

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
Almisned, 2024). Mastering the effective application of these emerging technologies

will ultimately shape a competitive edge for businesses amid a more complex

operating context.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a major disruptive force in a variety of

industries, massively shifting the paradigm for how work gets done and how

decisions are made. The scope of AI applications ranges from automated reasoning

to machine learning, creating a state that is great for improvement and efficiency

(Kenig, 2025). With the growing adoption of these technologies in organizations, it is

important to understand the impact of AI to optimise the advantages and reduce the

risks. This duality presents essential dilemmas about the ethical implications of

implementing AI in practice.

Collins (2021) provided a systematic literature review that captured important

themes at the convergence of AI and information systems research, with a focus on

reported business value and implications for practice. It implies the need for

balancing the pros and cons while gaining the benefits out of the pros of various

automation forms. For example, while using AI can have tremendous implications in

terms of greater efficiency, organizations need to solve the privacy issues and

algorithmic bias concerns to get the maximum benefit from AI without ethical

compromise.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
Additionally, Dennehy (2023) places emphasis on how AI is raising concerns

regarding human cognitive functions and the way in which we make informed

decisions, particularly within educational contexts. While use of chatbots and

plagiarism detection tools provides an edge to cut down certain processes, it leads

people to be dependent to technology and may decrease the thinking capability of

the learners. Such ethical dilemmas require continued discussion in academic and

professional settings to ensure that AI is integrated wisely into our daily lives.

Digital assistants

Perhaps the application used by most people would be the digital assistants

on our various pieces of technology. If you have a smartphone or laptop, you

probably have and use digital assistant software to some degree.

Some of the most popular digital assistants include:

● Siri (Apple)

● Alexa (Amazon)

● Cortana (Microsoft)

● Google Assistant (Google)

● Bixby (Samsung)

Search engines

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
Another common application of AI is search engines. Search engine

algorithms utilize AI to refine and show better results without the intervention of

programmers. You can see this in action on Google if you search for a question.

You’ll see a section called “People also ask” and if you open one of those questions,

it will spawn two more related questions below.

An even simpler example is Google’s auto-complete answers when you type

in the search bar. An AI algorithm gathers data on what people search most often

and uses that to populate predictions you can use to navigate.

Popular search engines include:

● Google

● Yahoo

● Bing

● DuckDuckGo

Social media

Social media platforms are another common way people interact with AI. All

major social media platforms run off AI-powered algorithms which are designed to

serve specific purposes. Most use algorithms to determine what their users like and

serve more of that content, to keep the user engaged. Many also run AI algorithms to

gather and store user data to use for advertising purposes.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
You can train your social media algorithms to show the content you like by

creating filters, or searching carefully for what you like, and purposefully interacting

(liking, commenting, sharing, etc.) with things you enjoy.

Popular social media platforms include:

● Facebook (Meta)

● Instagram (Meta)

● YouTube

● TikTok

Online shopping

This is probably one of the least obvious ways people interact with AI in their

daily lives. Many online shopping and ecommerce platforms use AI to streamline

their customer experience in a variety of ways.

As a customer, you may experience AI through:

● Personalized product recommendations based on previous shopping activity

or customer profile.

● Pricing optimization based on supply, demand, or previous shopping activity.

● Chatbots to provide instant responses to customer service or technical issues.

● Shipping and delay estimates.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
As a business owner, you may consider implementing AI in the following additional

ways:

● Sales and demand forecasting to help you manage your inventory in the face

of increased or decreased demand.

● Creating customer profiles and segmentation to boost sales.

● Smart analytics to show in real-time how your business is performing.

Robots

The word “robot” probably makes many people think of sci-fi movies like Star

Wars or shows like Star Trek with their humanoid, intelligent robots. Though those

may seem futuristic or even far-fetched, in reality, many robots already exist in our

world. You may even own some, or something produced by one.

Robots are used in a myriad of fields to streamline production or keep workers safe.

They handle repetitive tasks or anything deemed too dangerous for a human worker.

Some examples of industrial robots include:

● Aerospace: You may be familiar with the Mars rovers NASA has landed over

the years. These are programmed to explore, gather samples and send

transmissions back to Earth to provide data from Mars that an astronaut

would be unable to obtain. Most recently, NASA sent the rover Perseverance

to Mars to gather samples and search for signs of ancient life.

● Manufacturing: The use of robots in assembly lines dates back to 1961,

when General Motors introduced a robot to assist with welding and

transporting die casings (jobs deemed too dangerous for humans). It

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
continues to this day, streamlining production and providing safer working

conditions for humans.

● Hospitality: Particularly in recent years, the hospitality industry has adopted

robots to help complete simple tasks and fill in for worker shortages. These

can do things like check-in guests at hotels, mix drinks at cafes, deliver meals

to tables in restaurants, and more.

Transportation and Navigation

You’ve probably heard of self-driving cars, whether in a sci-fi show or in the

news from recent attempts by various companies. But there are more ways that AI is

utilized in transportation. Most major map software uses some kind of AI to interpret

real-time traffic data and provide routes and ETAs. Additionally, many aircraft use an

AI-powered autopilot that takes in weather conditions and flight data to set the

course.

In fact, studies show that the application of AI in transportation has made it

safer, more efficient, and more reliable.

Other examples of AI in transportation and navigation include:

● Traffic management systems take in real-time data about the road, weather,

and traffic conditions to predict heavier traffic flows and congestion.

● Direction apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze all use location

data collected from users to determine traffic, ETAs, and more.

● Rideshare apps, much like direction apps, use AI that takes in location and

environmental data to give ETAs, predict road conditions, and set fare rates.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

Text editing and autocorrect

Another example of AI in the palm of your hand (if you have a smartphone,

anyway) is autocorrect and other text editing software. This software takes input from

generalized dictionaries and common use but also learns from your specific patterns

to pick up the words you use most frequently and help you spell them.

Other online text editors like Grammarly or Hemingway App take standards of style,

length, and grammar, and compare them to your texts, generating reports on errors

and readability stats. Some of them also analyze other online content in real-time to

compare for originality.

Fraud prevention

If you have an account with any major bank, chances are they use AI in their

fraud detection and prevention systems. These work by analyzing thousands of

transactions, and recognizing normal patterns so they can flag suspicious activity.

These programs can auto-decline anything suspicious and flag an investigation, as

well as notify the individual for verification.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

Predictions

Since AI can process large amounts of data all at once, it’s useful in

identifying patterns and using those to make predictions. Businesses can then use

these predictions to make informed decisions or prevent possible future issues.

Common uses of predictive AI include:

● Maintenance: Tracking previous repairs and general wear and tear on parts in

equipment allows AI to predict when maintenance needs to happen,

preventing inconvenient breakdowns or possible accidents.

● Modeling: Predictive modeling uses data mining and probability forecasting to

predict and estimate future outcomes.

Gaming

Perhaps surprisingly, AI has been in the field of gaming for years. Over the

years, many AI systems were designed to play various games as the developers

worked on building software that would learn. AIs have beaten human champions in

Chess, Go, StarCraft 2, and also on the game show Jeopardy. Of course, many

games also utilize AI in their development to continually increase interest and

incentives for users to keep playing. Some games that use AI include:

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
● Minecraft: uses AI to generate unending virtual environments and adapt to the

player’s style.

● F.E.A.R: uses enemy AI to allow characters to learn and adapt to the player’s

movements in game.

● The Last of Us: has a dynamic AI for each non-player character allowing them

to react differently to the player character depending on their specific choices.

Healthcare

From robotics in hospitals and clinics to predictive software used to diagnose

rare diseases, AI has many uses in the field of healthcare. Doctors and medical staff

work with AI-powered software to provide better care to patients of all types.

Some uses of AI in healthcare:

● Early diagnosis: AI can analyze patient and disease data to predict the

likelihood of a patient developing a disease and either diagnose it early or

help to prevent it entirely.

● Disease tracking: Using predictive analytics, AI can model how a contagious

disease could spread over the course of time or across a specific area.

● Drug discovery: AI models can discover new applications or potentially

harmful interactions between different drugs.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
Advertising

Like many of the above examples, AI has numerous applications in the field of

advertising. From offering dynamic ads based on demographics or location to AI that

can write the copy itself, AI drives the field of advertising and marketing forward.

Examples of AI in advertising:

● Ad creation: AI software can be trained to write, copy or even make images

based on interaction and purchase data.

● Dynamic presentation: Many ad platforms allow you to create ads that present

different images or text based on customer demographics or location,

personalizing the ad experience.

● Budget optimization: Some ad platforms use AI to help determine where an

advertiser’s budget goes, focusing budget spending on the best-performing ad

on the most cost-effective days and times it to the best-performing ad, day,

and time.

Analytics

Finally, another common use for AI is in the field of data science and

analytics. One of the most common uses is in predictive analytics, but AI can also be

useful in data analysis. Most crucially, using AI analytics helps companies to scale

their analytics and allows them to have accurate data at a much quicker rate than

before.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

Some common uses for AI in analytics are:

● Forecasting: Taking in historical data and creating a reasonable forecast of

what you can expect to see in the future.

● Predictive analytics: Predicting trends and future results based on historical

data.

● Business monitoring: Real-time analytics on all key data points, from revenue

to cost to customer experience.

Transportation and Navigation

You’ve probably heard of self-driving cars, whether in a sci-fi show or in the

news from recent attempts by various companies. But there are more ways that AI is

utilized in transportation. Most major map software uses some kind of AI to interpret

real-time traffic data and provide routes and ETAs. Additionally, many aircraft use an

AI-powered autopilot that takes in weather conditions and flight data to set the

course.

In fact, studies show that the application of AI in transportation has made it

safer, more efficient, and more reliable.

Other examples of AI in transportation and navigation include:

16
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
● Traffic management systems take in real-time data about the road, weather,

and traffic conditions to predict heavier traffic flows and congestion.

● Direction apps such as Google Maps, Apple Maps, and Waze all use location

data collected from users to determine traffic, ETAs, and more.

● Rideshare apps, much like direction apps, use AI that takes in location and

environmental data to give ETAs, predict road conditions, and set fare rates.

Text editing and autocorrect

Another example of AI in the palm of your hand (if you have a smartphone,

anyway) is autocorrect and other text editing software. This software takes input from

generalized dictionaries and common use but also learns from your specific patterns

to pick up the words you use most frequently and help you spell them.

Other online text editors like Grammarly or Hemingway App take standards of style,

length, and grammar, and compare them to your texts, generating reports on errors

and readability stats. Some of them also analyze other online content in real-time to

compare for originality.

Fraud prevention

If you have an account with any major bank, chances are they use AI in their

fraud detection and prevention systems. These work by analyzing thousands of

transactions, and recognizing normal patterns so they can flag suspicious activity.

17
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
These programs can auto-decline anything suspicious and flag an investigation, as

well as notify the individual for verification.

Predictions

Since AI can process large amounts of data all at once, it’s useful in

identifying patterns and using those to make predictions. Businesses can then use

these predictions to make informed decisions or prevent possible future issues.

Common uses of predictive AI include:

● Maintenance: Tracking previous repairs and general wear and tear on parts in

equipment allows AI to predict when maintenance needs to happen,

preventing inconvenient breakdowns or possible accidents.

● Modeling: Predictive modeling uses data mining and probability forecasting to

predict and estimate future outcomes.

Healthcare

From robotics in hospitals and clinics to predictive software used to diagnose

rare diseases, AI has many uses in the field of healthcare. Doctors and medical staff

work with AI-powered software to provide better care to patients of all types.

Some uses of AI in healthcare:

18
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
● Early diagnosis: AI can analyze patient and disease data to predict the

likelihood of a patient developing a disease and either diagnose it early or

help to prevent it entirely.

● Disease tracking: Using predictive analytics, AI can model how a contagious

disease could spread over the course of time or across a specific area.

● Drug discovery: AI models can discover new applications or potentially

harmful interactions between different drugs.

Advertising

Like many of the above examples, AI has numerous applications in the field of

advertising. From offering dynamic ads based on demographics or location to AI that

can write the copy itself, AI drives the field of advertising and marketing forward.

Examples of AI in advertising:

● Ad creation: AI software can be trained to write copy or even make images

based on interaction and purchase data.

● Dynamic presentation: Many ad platforms allow you to create ads that present

different images or text based on customer demographics or location,

personalizing the ad experience.

● Budget optimization: Some ad platforms use AI to help determine where an

advertiser’s budget goes, focusing budget spending on the best-performing ad

19
 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
on the most cost-effective days and times it to the best-performing ad, day,

and time.

Business and AI

While that list of examples may seem extensive, it’s certainly not all-

encompassing. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of other ways AI touches

everyday life for consumers.

For businesses, the application possibilities of AI may seem overwhelming.

But it’s important to consider how to adopt AI to grow your business, or risk being left

behind as the technology evolves. One easy way to do so is with AI analytics. Learn

more about how Tableau helps our customers succeed with AI analytics today.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a paradigm shift in the way technology

develops, which connects authentic physical devices that can send and share data

between them through the internet. It uses a vast network of applications, including

smart homes and cities, healthcare, and industrial automation (Zymbler, 2019). Use

of IOT Devices — With the assistance of IoT technologies, they offer greater

productivity, comfort and innovation in all sectors of the economy. One such example

is the use of IoT in smart cities where it allows data management of systems to

better utilize resources and enhance living conditions within the urban setting (Ait

Mouha Radouan, 2021). With its exponential potential, though, the widespread

adoption of IoT brings with it serious security, privacy and interoperability concerns.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
The diverse characteristics that these devices have challenges the efforts deployed

on standardization and creates considerations towards being susceptible to

malicious parties AbdelRahman, Hussein H. (2019). Moreover, with billions of

interconnected devices, the enormous amount of data generated requires effective

solutions for processing and fallout of data. This is where big data analytics become

vital in extracting meaningful insights from the channels of information collected by

IoT systems (Zymbler, 2019). And although projection models show economic

consequences that are proportional to billions of dollars ($3.9 to $11 trillion per year

by 2025), the societal dimensions deserve attention (Ait Mouha Radouan, 2021).

Others such as surveillance and privacy represent ethical quagmires that need to be

addressed via appropriate policy frameworks. With the advent of IoT technologies

and a more connected future ahead, it becomes more important than ever for all

stakeholders involved to keep working towards sustainable development while

balancing innovation and ethical values.

Top Internet-of-Things (IoT) examples:

Connected cars

Smart appliances

Connected security systems

Smart agriculture equipment.

Connected retail

Connected healthcare monitors

Connected manufacturing equipment

Connected cities

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

BLOCKCHAIN

With its decentralized nature and enhanced security features, blockchain

technology has emerged as a transformative force across various sector. At its

core, blockchain is a distributed ledger that securely and immutably records

transactions. This process uses cryptographic techniques which makes the data,

and thus the trust in network participants possible (Saha, 2019). Use of this

technology reaches far beyond how cryptocurrency has impacted our world, with

opportunities for efficiencies seen in supply chain, healthcare data storage and

financial services, to name a few. The key benefit of blockchain is the transparency

and traceability in transactions it provides. Each transaction is added ongoing, with

each given a unique cryptographic hash linking it to the previous entry, meaning the

previous information cannot be tampered with (O'Donoghue et al., 2019). Not only

does this feature strengthen security, but it also minimizes the risk of fraud, as well

as the occurrence of errors during data processing. In addition, smart contracts,

which are contracts that execute automatically based on the conditions defined

within the code, are changing the landscape of managing contracts, allowing for

automated compliance without needing third-party involvement (Shen & Xuan,

2023). However, there are still several hurdles to be overcome for mass adoption of

this revolutionary technology. Barriers remain high, including scalability and energy

consumption with respect to consensus mechanisms (such as proof-of-work),

regulatory uncertainties, et cetera (Shen & Xuan, 2023). Researchers will continue to

explore these restrictions, but it is essential for stakeholders in the space to work

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
together to identify solutions that will optimize the productivity of blockchain without

sacrificing its foundational principles of decentralized trust and security.

Real-world Blockchain Use Case in PH

The country is witnessing a growing array of real-world applications for

blockchain technology across various sectors. From combating crypto scams to

revolutionizing education, enhancing the security of critical budget documents,

exploring the potential of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs), to reforming the

electoral system, blockchain is making its presence felt as a transformative force in

the country. In this overview, BitPinas delves into these innovative use cases,

showcasing how blockchain is reshaping the Philippine landscape.

Scam Prevention

During a BitPinas Webcast last August 23, 2023, Paul Soliman, CEO of

BayaniChain, said blockchain can be used to detect crypto scams that are targeting

both newcomers and experienced users. He highlighted the transparency of

blockchain-based smart contracts to identify Ponzi schemes and stressed the

importance of digital currencies being backed by tangible assets.

Information Technology (IT) Education Expansion

Recently, more universities are partnering with blockchain firms to expand

their information and technology curriculum.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

This year, the Blockchain Lead Organization & Knowledge Center (The

BLOKC) has forged partnerships with both Mapua University’s School of Information

Technology and Lyceum University of the Philippines (LPU) to advance blockchain

education in the Philippines.

The BLOKC Partners with Mapua School of IT for Blockchain Education

In collaboration with Mapua University, The BLOKC’s efforts include

structured internships, faculty training, curriculum review, and organizing hackathons

and seminars. Mapua currently offers blockchain as an elective course, with plans to

establish it as a specialization in the future. This partnership aims to position Mapua

as a prominent institution in Information Technology and aligns with The BLOKC’s

vision of making the Philippines a hub for emerging tech. Mapua is also actively

involved in creating decentralized innovation centers in collaboration with

government and industry stakeholders.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

On the other hand, The BLOKC’s partnership with LPU concentrates on

integrating blockchain education into LPU’s College of Technology (LPU-COT). LPU-

COT, which previously offered a blockchain elective in collaboration with NEM

Philippines, Inc., aspires to become a leading technology-focused higher education

institution. This collaboration endeavors to equip students with essential skills for the

dynamic blockchain industry. It encompasses various initiatives such as student

internships, faculty development programs, hackathons, bootcamps, educational

tours, seminars, and certifications. LPU-COT plans to integrate blockchain

technology into its curricula and promote certification for faculty and students in the

field.

Moreover, international blockchain firm nChain has signed a memorandum of

understanding (MOU) with Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU). The partnership

aims to promote and advance blockchain education at ADMU through the Ateneo

Blockchain Laboratory research group.

The MOU will result in the addition of a blockchain leadership unit to ADMU’s course

offerings in the second semester of 2023. Additionally, nChain will support ADMU’s

Ph.D. students by providing access to patented intellectual properties and offering

grants to bolster blockchain research in the Philippines.

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
In April 2022, the revealed its intention to launch a pilot project for a wholesale

Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) known as “Project CBDCPh.” The initiative

aims to enhance the stability of the Philippines’ payment system.

BSP Reveals Blockchain for CBDC Pilot

A CBDC is a digital currency that is centralized, issued, and regulated by a

country’s central bank. It can function as a medium of exchange or a store of value

and is essentially the digital counterpart of traditional national currency. Unlike

cryptocurrencies, CBDCs are subject to regulation by the central bank and are

influenced by factors such as a country’s monetary policies and trade surpluses. The

central bank chose Hyperledger Fabric as the Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)

for its pilot wholesale CBDC initiative, renamed as “Project Agila.”

According to the BSP, Project Agila will involve multiple local financial

institutions, including BDO Unibank, Land Bank of the Philippines, Union Bank of the

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
Philippines, and others, as well as fintech firm Maya Philippines, Inc. The

collaboration with these institutions aims to test the application of wholesale CBDC

technology in a controlled sandbox environment, focusing on inter-institutional fund

transfers, even during off-business hours.

Moreover, the central bank aims to collaborate with international organizations

such as the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) and the International Monetary

Fund (IMF) to align Project Agila with global standards in technical, risk

management, and governance aspects.

Project Agila is viewed as a significant step toward understanding the

opportunities and risks associated with wholesale CBDCs, with insights gained

during the pilot phase informing the BSP’s future CBDC projects and enhancing the

efficiency and safety of the national payment system.

Project Marissa

Recently, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) launched

“Project Marissa,” a blockchain-based initiative aimed at enhancing the security of

budget-related documents. This project, led by Undersecretary Maria Francesca Del

Rosario, is a collaborative effort between DBM, Hacktiv, Bayanichain, and Microsoft

Azure.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

Project Marissa is a project that seeks to integrate blockchain technology into

the Action Document Releasing System (ADRS) in order to improve the security and

efficiency of operations. It is named after Marissa Santos, Division Chief of DBM

Administrative Service (AS)-Central Records Division, in recognition of her efforts to

strengthen document validation controls within DBM.

The project will leverage blockchain technology, specifically Bayanichain’s

hybrid blockchain called “Prublic,” which combines Polygon PoS and Azure

Confidential Ledger. It will focus on enhancing the security of critical budget

documents, such as the Special Allotment Release Orders (SARO) and Advice of

Notice of Cash Allocation Issued (ANCAI).

SARO permits government agencies to spend a specified amount of money

for a specific purpose within a set timeframe, while ANCAI signifies the release of

cash funds to a particular government agency or office.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
Project Marissa’s prototype and solutioning phase has been completed. The next

phase will mint SARO documents to Polygon PoS using an ERC721-derived contract

and Microsoft’s Azure Confidential Ledger. This will enhance security and

operational efficiency, and ensure data confidentiality and resistance to tampering.

Project i2i

At the Consensus 2018 event in New York, Union Bank introduced Project i2i,

a blockchain initiative that aims to integrate rural banks in the Philippines into the

country’s financial system, particularly targeting the unbanked population. It provides

a real-time, cost-effective, and secure retail payment system based on blockchain

technology.

Project i2i uses the Kaleido blockchain platform to connect rural banks to the

main financial network. It is the first blockchain to utilize the Ethereum network and

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
the first blockchain software as a service (SaaS) available in the AWS marketplace.

This allows them to perform essential banking functions that were previously limited

to universal banks. It was initially piloted by five Mindanao rural banks, including

Cantilan Bank Inc, PR Savings Bank, City Savings Bank, FairBank, and Progressive

Bank. As of October 2019, Project i2i had expanded, consisting of 35 rural banks

across 150 branches and 250,000 accounts nationwide. It had processed over 335

transactions, with a transaction volume exceeding $1 million.

The project leveraged UnionBank’s own stablecoin, PHX, to facilitate

transactions, enabling rural banks to connect to local Automated Clearing Houses

and perform real-time blockchain-powered transactions.

Automated Election

Earlier this year, the Philippine Commission on Election (COMELEC) tried to

explore the use of blockchain technology in automated elections. During the National

Election Summit, COMELEC conducted a breakout session titled “Use of Blockchain

Technology in the Automated Election System.” The session featured speakers

including Paul Soliman, CEO of Bayanichain, and Kenneth Stern, General Manager

of Binance in the Philippines.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

The event highlighted its exploration of blockchain technology as a means to

bolster transparency, security, and trust within the electoral process. Accordingly, the

was noted to aim to establish an unchangeable and secure voting record, fostering

greater voter confidence and cost reduction by minimizing paper usage.

The proposed solution involves a hybrid blockchain model that seamlessly

integrates public and private ledgers, striking a harmonious balance between

scalability and transparency. While concerns regarding potential tampering persist,

the blockchain’s operation remains discreet, ensuring accessibility for voters of all

ages while safeguarding the electoral process’s integrity.

● COMELEC Conducts Session Exploring Blockchain Use in Automated

Election

● [Event Recap Part 1] Advantages of Blockchain in Automated Elections

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila
● Blockchain Integration in Automated Elections: A New Era for Philippine

Democracy? COMELEC Raises Concerns

Prior to this, in 2021, the COMELEC conducted mock trials of blockchain-

based voting to address the country’s low voter turnout. The trials aimed to enable

Filipino residents, including overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), to vote from home in

an effort to increase voter participation.

Currently, however, there are still no updates regarding the use of blockchain

for elections.

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

The convergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and

Blockchain represents a transformative shift in technological innovation,

characterized by their distinct yet complementary functionalities. AI serves as a

powerful analytical tool that processes vast amounts of data generated by IoT

devices, enabling predictive analytics and decision-making capabilities. The IoT

ecosystem facilitates real-time data collection from interconnected devices, while

Blockchain provides a secure, immutable ledger that enhances trust and

transparency in data transactions (Sandner et al., 2020).

This synergy not only streamlines operations across various sectors but also

fosters new business models that leverage these technologies to improve efficiency

and reduce costs.

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 Republic of the Philippines
POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Sta. Mesa, Kalakhang Maynila, Maynila

In logistics and transportation, the integration of AI, IoT, and Blockchain has been

particularly impactful. For instance, IoT sensors can track shipments in real time,

while AI algorithms analyze this data to optimize routes or predict delays.

Simultaneously, Blockchain technology ensures that all transactions related to these

shipments are recorded securely and transparently (Campos et al., 2024). Such

applications highlight how these technologies can work collaboratively to enhance

supply chain management by improving transparency and sustainability while

minimizing operational risks.

While there is an extensive body of literature exploring the convergence of

these technologies, it is essential to note that biographical statements about their

development are scarce. Most academic discussions focus on their functionalities

rather than the individual contributions that have propelled them into mainstream use

(Reaidy, 2023). Understanding the historical context behind these innovations may

provide valuable insights into their future trajectories as they continue to evolve in

response to emerging challenges.

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