SFI CEO Luis Alberto Anastacio Champions Empowerment Through AI at 20th Investors in People Concourse

Patrice Garcia
Jun 6
3 min read

On June 5, 2025, the 20th Investors in People (IIP) Concourse brought together changemakers from across sectors for an inspiring afternoon of forward-thinking strategies and impactful storytelling. Organized by Investors in People Philippines and hosted on Zoom, the event focused on one transformative theme: Innovation in Action.

Among the four featured speakers was Mr. Luis Alberto Anastacio, President and CEO of Servicio Filipino, Inc., who delivered a powerful keynote on empowering people through innovation, AI, and automation. More than just a talk on technology, his message centered on people — and how real progress comes when innovation is grounded in trust, training, and shared purpose.

“We treat innovation not as a threat, but as an opportunity. We choose courage — not fear — and use innovation to uplift, not replace, our people.”

From Anxiety to Empowerment: Innovation Rooted in People

SFI’s journey began by inviting input from across the organization — from long-time employees to those just starting out. “Everyone had the chance to contribute — not just to their departments, but to the entire workflow,” Mr. Anastacio shared.

These insights shaped the company’s innovation roadmap and led to the creation of in-house, AI-powered tools:

Susan – Smart User Service with Automated Intelligence for recruitment and research
CARE – Customer Assistance Response Expert for client support
LLAILA – Labor Law AI Legal Assistant for HR compliance and legal research
CLARA – Career Learning and Readiness Assistant for employee training

These tools have significantly enhanced efficiency and collaboration across departments. What used to take weeks — such as resolving HR cases — can now be addressed within a day. Document generation, policy reviews, and internal learning have all been accelerated.

“We’re not replacing people,” Mr. Anastacio emphasized. “We’re redefining roles and encouraging our workforce to imagine how their current jobs can evolve.”

To support this, SFI launched an AI Champion Program, training early adopters to become internal tech ambassadors. Adoption began with 30% of the workforce and continues to grow, creating a ripple effect of empowerment and productivity. Employees have reported 3x to 8x increases in output, with process efficiency improved by 35% and manual work reduced by 40%.

A Culture of Courage and Collaboration

SFI’s approach to innovation is not top-down — it’s collaborative. Training sessions were rolled out across operations, finance, marketing, and sales, bringing together different perspectives to co-create solutions. The company even partnered with a Finnish firm to develop Susan, their first AI-powered chatbot, showcasing a global mindset applied to local needs.

“We are in the business of investing in people,” Mr. Anastacio said. “Innovation is not about shiny tech — it’s about unleashing human potential.

Looking ahead, SFI is preparing further enhancements to their internal platforms. As they move from beginner to mastery levels in AI and automation, the focus remains the same: uplifting, not replacing.

Insights from Across the Concourse

Alongside SFI, three other organizations shared their innovation journeys:

RCBC highlighted a people strategy grounded in Refinement, Strengthening, Innovation, and Activation, with strong emphasis on learning and AI integration in HR.
NAMRIA showcased a balanced approach to innovation in government, combining structured systems with people-focused leadership.
SCIPSI shared how gamified systems and a values-driven culture transformed their workplace into an inspiring hub for creativity and engagement.

In her opening, Ms. Janet Webster, Chairperson of Investors in People, reminded attendees that innovation must start with people. Reflecting on IIP’s growth since 2008, she underscored how collaboration, shared ideas, and continuous learning are the lifeblood of sustainable change.

“Innovation can be small or big — but without it, organizations will disappear,” she said.

A Courageous Culture, Recognized

SFI’s IIP Gold Certification served not just as a recognition of excellence, but as validation of its people-first, tech-enabled culture. In his closing reflections, Mr. Gerry Plana, CEO of Investors in People Philippines, commended how SFI embodied the kind of leadership needed in today’s world:

Gerry Plana, President of Investors In People Philippines

“Servicio Filipino, Inc. showed that when you invest in people, you don’t just create efficiency — you create confidence.”

He described SFI’s leadership as courageous — willing to embrace change with a clear sense of purpose and humanity.

A Legacy of Empowerment

Through its bold embrace of automation, its people-first mindset, and its drive to imagine a better future, Servicio Filipino, Inc. continues to lead by example. With leaders like Mr. Anastacio, the company is proving that when innovation is rooted in trust, purpose, and people — the results are not just technological but transformational.