Date: December 9, 2025
A virtual talk titled “Startup Mindset in the Digital World, Including A.I.” was delivered by Dr. Philip Adams, visiting professor at Tra Vinh University, on December 4, 2025, via the Zoom platform. Faculty members and students from Tra Vinh University, Southern Leyte State University, and Samar State University joined the virtual event to explore the fast-changing landscape of digital technology and artificial intelligence. Among the attendees from Samar State University were Dr. Elmer A. Irene (Director for International Affairs), Ariel N. Abarratigue (International Quality Assurance Staff), and Eloisa Baroga (a College of Education student).
Dr. Adams made the session lively and relevant by sharing real-world stories. He pointed out that now is an exceptionally good time to start a new business, mentioning an article about two friends who launched an AI company that reached a $100 million valuation in just two weeks based on its recurring revenue. He also noted that AI is becoming a daily tool in big companies, with Google and Microsoft reporting that around 80% of their employees use AI in their work. Dr. Adams referenced a recent OpenAI paper suggesting that tools like ChatGPT are now capable of handling many mainstream jobs.
Dr. Adams encouraged the participants to think differently and cultivate an innovative mindset, especially in navigating the digital era. He underscored that AI is not merely a tool for automation but a transformative force that can reshape industries, create new opportunities, and empower individuals to solve real-world problems creatively.
During the question and answer, Dr. Elmer raised a question regarding the frequent advertisements on social media platforms, such as Facebook, that claim people can quickly become millionaires by mastering AI tools. Dr. Adams responded that while such claims may hold some truth, many advertisements are primarily designed as revenue-generating tactics. He advised that instead of focusing on quick-profit promises, individuals should identify a meaningful problem they care deeply about, conceptualize a solution, and determine whether today’s AI technologies can help bring that solution to life.
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