Over the past few years, tech companies and researchers all over the world have been competing to advance the frontiers of artificial intelligence. With the broadening and fast-paced developments in the space of technology, it is clear that utilizing AI in the financial industry is key to economic development. Now, more than ever, it is evident that these theoretical revolutions in computer science bring novel applications of AI across global markets.In countries like the Philippines, where the service sector has been one of the “strongest and fast-growing sectors”¹ of the economy, innovations in AI have the potential to increase national participation in global value chains. Moreover, AI developments and multinational companies that engage with national talent could involve the country more deeply in the international services trade and accelerate the spread of AI-specific tacit knowledge.
Image courtesy of Jean Alfonso-Decena
Jean Alfonso-Decena is making huge strides across the conversational AI space amidst this era of disruption. With her outlook of “exploration and experimentation”², Jean is creating value both within the Philippine technology landscape, and across AI in the global fin-tech space. As the Head of Operations & Partnerships at Starbutter AI, she sits at the intersection of business, data science, product, and engineering. Awarded by Google as one of the Best 3 AI Agents on the Google Assistant Platform, Starbutter AI was founded to help consumers select financial products³. Jean oversees the company’s business operations and manages partner relationships, and helps design and build artificially-intelligent virtual assistants to “help consumers pick financial products and discover [these products] through conversational advertising and performance marketing”⁴.
Image courtesy of Jean Alfonso-Decena
Amber: Could you tell us a bit about your background?
Jean: I worked in the Startup — Customer Service space for over a decade starting with 7 years of IBM tenure when they invested in a BPO arm in Manila, Philippines. I was part of the pioneering team that helped train and ramp up the organization finding and building talents that supported a major US Telco. After an astonishing leadership growth journey with IBM I moved on to the Silicon Valley scene, shifting into copywriting work for a major e-Commerce company based in Redwood City. After just a few weeks I was pulled out of the Content Team to form the pioneer Customer Service team which I led and helped grow for the next 4 years. Took a break from the corporate scene to become an entrepreneur, only to find my way back into leading and growing another CS team for a media giant based in Boston.The customer service scene has been a huge blessing to me in that the space allowed me to grow in all levels, not just professionally. Took another break to get yoga/meditation teaching certification in Sri Lanka and Rishikesh in India. Then Starbutter AI came along. It’s been one long auspicious journey to finally be in this special place called Starbutter AI.
Image courtesy of Jean Alfonso-Decena
A: Did you always know that working in the fin-tech space was what you wanted to do? What inspired you to pursue a career in the startup world and work with Starbutter AI? And what perspective did your experience in information and communication studies contribute to that decision?**J: **Working in fin-tech was never in my plans or wildest dreams, let alone in AI. I had a totally different trajectory — I was gearing up to spread love and light through conscious entrepreneurship while using all the years of leadership, e-Commerce and people/project management training I’ve received. While in the middle of my spiritual travels, I got connected with Starbutter AI. The company name intrigued me so I looked it up, and between yoga and meditation, I was researching the team, AI and fintech more and more. The company mission, values and the founders piqued my brain and captured my heart. The possibility of jumping into a deeply mysterious (AI) realm, learning about fintech and working with some of the brightest minds in the space were my main reasons for shifting gears.My self-talk at that time, in a nutshell: when you receive the opportunity of a lifetime to help build bots that augment the lives of humans,_ grab it_. The founders’ unique mission is what signed me up.
Image courtesy of Jean Alfonso-Decena
A: In your DEVCON Lightning Talk, “Jobs of the Future”, you described the innovation and interdisciplinary cooperation needed to create products in the AI virtual assistant space. You also described how AI and machine learning applications are highly influenced by the environment they are built in, and the people they are built by. Why do you think it is important for technologists to take this collaborative approach when building chatbots and other products that are used by a diverse subset of customers?
J: I always use the “human baby” metaphor when I speak about building chatbots. Although they’re not entirely the same, they have commonalities. Raising a baby takes a village — I know as I’m a mom. But even before the baby is born, plenty of preparation is to be done to ensure the child grows beautifully in the womb, and comes out healthy. This journey is best taken with the mother’s support network to optimise growth and delivery of the baby which includes family, health specialists, parent communities and other experts in the field.
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