Gogolook highlights responsible AI leadership and human-centered innovation at Int’l Women’s Day 2026 forum

• IN PHOTO: Gogolook Philippines Country Head and General Manager Mel Migriño during the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 forum.

Gogolook discussed insights on how organizations can navigate the risks and opportunities brought by rapid technological transformation, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and research and development during the International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 forum.

Mel Migriño, Country Head and General Manager of Gogolook Philippines, said that balancing bold innovation with responsible governance begins with recognizing digital risk as an integral part of business strategy, rather than treating it as a separate concern.

“I think it is about recognizing digital risk as part of the business drivers across all business imperatives of the enterprise. Establishing transparency at the start of what needs to be done and how much effort and resources it may take,” said Migriño.

“Also, from a resource perspective, it is also wise to know and onboard people who have the experience in implementing technology innovation with security, privacy and governance processes in place as this will dictate the maturity of the processes that will be employed as the maturity of the resources,” she added.

Technology transformation, she explained, should be approached with transparency from the start, including clearly identifying what needs to be done and understanding the resources and effort required to implement change responsibly.

She also emphasized the importance of building the right teams to support innovation.

Organizations must bring in people with experience in implementing technology while ensuring that strong security, privacy, and governance processes are already in place. The maturity of these processes, she said, is closely linked to the expertise and leadership of the people driving the transformation.

Migriño noted that governance should not only be treated as an operational issue but must also be addressed at the highest levels of leadership. Matters related to technology risk, security, and innovation should first be discussed at the board and senior leadership level before being cascaded effectively to operational leaders and teams across the organization.

Migriño represented Gogolook at the recently concluded IWD 2026 forum hosted by the Nanyang Technological University Alumni Association Malaysia, held under the theme “Women in Technology: Innovating, Leading, Transforming the Future.”

During the event, she joined a power panel alongside prominent female leaders including Puan Shariffah Rashidah binti Syed Othman, Commissioner of the Personal Data Protection Malaysia; Dr. Kirida Bhaopichir, Vice Minister of Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce; and Dr. Kong Xin Ying, Lee Kuan Yew Research Fellow at NTU Singapore, where they discussed leadership, innovation, and the evolving role of women in shaping the future of technology.

Looking ahead, she highlighted how emerging technologies are redefining leadership itself.

Quantum technology, once largely confined to academic research, is now evolving into a strategic imperative that could fundamentally reshape how organizations approach innovation, risk management, and long-term technology planning.

She explained that this shift is pushing leaders away from traditional command-and-control leadership styles toward what she described as “quantum leadership,” a model that embraces complexity, ambiguity, and interconnected thinking.

In this environment, technology leaders are no longer taking a wait-and-see approach. Instead, many are already developing strategies for quantum readiness, particularly in cybersecurity, where the potential risks posed by future computing capabilities are becoming an increasing concern.

Early adopters, she said, are also seeking competitive advantages in fields such as drug discovery, logistics, and materials science. While full-scale quantum computing is still evolving, organizations are already experimenting with potential applications through cloud-based services often referred to as Quantum-as-a-Service.

Migriño also discussed the rise of agentic artificial intelligence and its growing impact on the workplace. Rather than replacing employees, she explained that modern AI systems are increasingly designed to support and enhance human capabilities within a “human-in-the-loop” framework.

In practical applications such as customer service, AI systems can serve as a safety net by handling routine tasks while escalating more complex issues to human agents. This collaborative approach helps improve customer experience while ensuring that human judgment remains part of the decision-making process.

She noted that this model offers several advantages. As employees work alongside AI systems, trust in artificial intelligence gradually increases. AI can also help identify potential mistakes or suggest improvements, reducing the likelihood of human error. At the same time, automation allows employees to focus on higher-value work, improving productivity and overall efficiency.

Migriño was also recently recognized by The Portfolio Magazine as one of the Most Inspiring CEOs for 2025. The publication is known for its exclusive editorial features, business stories, and in-depth leadership interviews that go beyond numbers and headlines to highlight the strategies, insights, and experiences that shape industries and inspire change.