Notes | Erika Fille Legara — AI Strategy Executive & Scientist

I've Moved to Substack

Sat, 07 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

I’ve started a newsletter called Signal & Noise where I write about data, innovation, human systems, and complex systems. Sometimes technical, sometimes observational, always thoughtful.

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Eisenhower Fellowships | First Week.

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Wrapping up our first week has been surreal. I still remember the planning sessions with our lovely program officer, Seya Fadullon, and all the preparations that went into this. And now, just like that, the first week is done. 🥹 The days feel long, but the week went by in a blink! 😳

We spent it between Philly and D.C., and there is already so much to take in.

One big highlight was finally meeting the other Eisenhower Fellows from our cohort. They are brilliant, passionate, and genuinely fun to be around. I am learning so much from them, and I feel lucky to have found new friends who share the same drive and curiosity, and who make this journey even more meaningful.

Another highlight for me was our intimate session with Susan Eisenhower. What I thought would be a formal hi-hello turned into a quiet masterclass on leadership, strategy, negotiation, and history. Listening to her stories about Ike Eisenhower was humbling, especially the way she spoke about empathy and restraint as strategic virtues. It was the kind of conversation that stays with you.

There were many more meaningful encounters this week, each one shaping how I think about my fellowship focus on AI governance frameworks and policies, and algorithmic audit and accountability.

My heartfelt thanks to EF President George de Lama, Gabrielle Hibbert, Elham Tabassi, Jeff Frazier, David Bray, Balaji Padmanabhan, and William Burns for their time and insights. The exchanges reminded me how valuable it is to have spaces where leaders and experts can learn from each other across disciplines.

And of course, it was an absolute privilege to meet Dr. Mari Elka Pangestu—a true legend in international policy and one of the most respected voices in global economic governance. I feel fortunate to have had the chance to converse with someone whose leadership and wisdom continue to shape the world far beyond our region.

It has only been a week, but already a memorable one!

CERN and Science Diplomacy

Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

It was Day 4. Our “CERN Day” :) Even though it was my second time, I was still quite giddy. It’s CERN!! The second time hit differently, though. I went with our GESDA Science Diplomacy cohort, but something clicked in an unexpected way.

The facilities brought back memories of Doc Palisoc and his lectures back at the National Institute of Physics on fermions and bosons. 🤓 But this time, what hit me was the STAGGERING investment scale for FUNDAMENTAL research: roughly USD 5 billion for construction, USD 1 billion yearly operating costs shared across member states.

Imagine this pitch: “We’ll spend billions to find a particle we’re not sure exists, with no commercial application.” ehehe, of course, that’s a bit of an exaggeration ;) No projected financial returns, just pure knowledge seeking. But my real goosebumps moment: The diplomacy-enabled investments came first, and spin-offs followed. The www, medical imaging, computing breakthroughs… none in the original proposal, yet they transformed everything.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲. Founded in 1954 during the Cold War, with 12 European countries collaborating on peaceful research. “No direct use for military applications.” Now, 23 member states participate, with negotiations and funding agreements representing diplomacy at its finest.

Scientists from countries with “tense” relationships work side by side here 💕 They share expertise, pool resources for facilities no single nation could afford. The science itself creates diplomatic connections.

Of course, sustainability challenges exist. Energy requirements, environmental impact, long-term funding commitments–complex system challenges we all brought up and discussed with our hosts.

This immersion reinforced why science diplomacy matters. When countries work beyond immediate interests, seemingly impossible achievements become possible.

CERN’s multi-decade collaboration outperforms our typical crisis-driven responses. Maybe that’s the real lesson, 𝘯𝘰𝘩? Effective diplomacy creates enduring frameworks that outlast the problems they were built to solve

The Randomness of Days

Sun, 04 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Missed the randomness of my days… This morning at some random coffee shop in Geneva, I sat with my journal and my first cup of coffee, wondering how to kill time. I wanted to do something different.

An hour later, I found myself on a bus to Annecy, France.

It’s a short ride, just enough to read more than a few pages of 𝘒𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘢 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘶𝘯 by Kazuo Ishiguro. But mostly, I just stared out the window. I wasn’t rushing anywhere. I just wanted to switch off. 🙏🏼

Annecy’s old town reminded me of italy’s Lucca and Germany’s Füssen.

They share a certain feel… compact, walkable, dense with history. Designed long before modern zoning or traffic models, yet still functional. They slow you down without asking.

Annecy was more crowded though. A lot of tourists, hehe, people like me. But that really happens when visibility outpaces capacity. The layout doesn’t stretch to hold the volume. Lucca and Füssen didn’t feel that way though… if I remember correctly. Maybe it’s the timing. Maybe they’re less connected. Or maybe they’ve just been spared the spotlight a bit longer.

Still, even with the differences, the feeling I got was the same. Calm. Curious. Present. These towns do that well. I wish we had more like them in Asia.

Over a decade ago, I was speaking with a friend from the city of Champagne. We got on the topic of cities that seem frozen in time. He said Paris hasn’t really evolved… almost complaining, grumbling. It stuck with me, because from the outside, that’s exactly why many of us love it, isn’t it?

But yes, there’s always that tension. Do we preserve what gives places their charm, or “modernize” them to meet new demands? I always think about the local residents. How might they feel though?

Good thing it’s not an either/or. Preserving what exists can be just as innovative as creating something new. Sometimes, wisdom lies in having the discipline to leave something untouched.

Reflecting on Seven Incredible Years as APD of the MSc in Data Science

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Yesterday, we welcomed the ninth cohort of MSc in Data Science (MSDS) students at the Asian Institute of Management. It’s so surreal that we’re here… What’s more surreal is that this will be the last time I’ll welcome a cohort as Academic Director.

As I step down as the Director of the MSDS program, I find myself reflecting on an incredible journey that began back in 2017. These past seven years as the founding director have been nothing short of amazing, filled with both challenges and triumphs.

When we first launched this program, the landscape of analytics, data science, and AI was vastly different. It was a time when convincing organizations to invest in analytics was a daunting task, and the pool of properly trained data scientists in the Philippines was sparse. Yet, we persisted. The mission was clear: to bridge the gap between technical expertise and business acumen, and to cultivate a new generation of data scientists equipped to lead and innovate.

The journey with AIM started even before I returned to the Philippines. Crafting a top-notch curriculum that seamlessly blended technical skills, business insights, and leadership was no easy feat. It required countless meetings with practitioners, industry experts, and business educators. But our hard work paid off. Since our launch, we have consistently ranked in the top 3 in data science education in Far East Asia according to the Eduniversal rankings. We have trained and developed nearly 300 data scientists, many of whom are now leading data science teams and spearheading digital transformation and AI strategy in their organizations.

Our impact extends beyond the classroom. We have engaged with nearly 75 industry and government use cases, emphasizing not just the power of AI tools but, more importantly, the business cases and ROI in artificial intelligence. This practical approach has ensured that our graduates are not only technically proficient but also business-savvy, making them highly sought after in the industry.

I am deeply grateful to AIM and President & Dean Jikyeong Kang, especially for entrusting me with this pioneering role. My heartfelt thanks go out to Jikyeong, Prof. Christopher Monterola, and my colleagues at the Aboitiz School of Innovation, Tech, and Entrepreneurship, and the various program team members through the years. I’d like to especially mention Prof. Christian Alis, Benjur Emmanuel “Gino” Borja, and Carmela Chupungco who have also been there since the beginning. The support from recruitment and marketing, admissions, career services, and the Dean’s office has been invaluable. Together, we have achieved a remarkable assurance of learning and have produced some of the most sought-after talent in the region.

What a journey it has been. Thank you all for the trust, collaboration, and shared vision. It has been an honor and a pleasure to work alongside you in building this legacy. As I pass the baton, I am confident that the future of the MSc in Data Science program is bright, and I look forward to witnessing its continued success.