Artificial intelligence continues to open new possibilities in education, software development, and creative work. However, making the most of these advancements starts with understanding the technology behind them and learning how to apply them in practical ways. Through NVIDIA AI Ready Campus, PC Express and NVIDIA are bringing these discussions directly to students, providing opportunities to explore AI technologies, discover capable computing hardware, and learn from industry professionals and fellow innovators.
The program's stop at the University of the Philippines Manila (UP Manila) brought together a series of seminars and demonstrations covering local AI, NVIDIA's AI developments, agentic AI, storage solutions, and AI-assisted software and game development. Complementing the technical sessions was an enthusiastic student audience whose participation became one of the highlights of the event, particularly during the presentation and activities led by fellow UP Manila student and self-taught game developer Matthew Labrador.
Understanding AI Beyond Everyday Applications
The program introduced students to the concept of local AI through a presentation by Mr. Jesse Tan of PC Express. The session explored how AI models can run directly on a user's computer instead of relying entirely on remote cloud servers.
With suitable hardware and software, local AI can offer greater control over data processing and allow certain applications to work without an internet connection. These capabilities can be particularly relevant for students and developers interested in experimenting with AI tools, working with sensitive information, or building applications tailored to specific needs.
The discussion continued with Mr. Justin Abainza of NVIDIA, who presented the company's AI roadmap and the development of its AI technologies. The presentation traced how AI has evolved from applications such as enhancing gaming graphics to supporting a broader range of computing workloads, including AI processing on locally available hardware.
This progression demonstrates how advances in computing can create opportunities beyond their original applications. For students exploring technology-related careers, understanding the relationship between AI software and the hardware that powers it provides valuable context for how these technologies are developed and applied.
From Agentic AI to AI-Ready Hardware
Beyond the fundamentals, the program explored how AI can be used to perform increasingly complex tasks. Mr. Jay Ortiz, an AI Generalist, introduced attendees to agentic AI, discussing its capabilities and potential applications.
Unlike AI systems that simply respond to individual prompts, agentic AI can be designed to pursue defined objectives by carrying out tasks, interacting with tools, and coordinating multiple steps. Depending on how these systems are configured, they can support workflows that involve more than generating a single response.
For students, learning about agentic AI provides a broader perspective on how the technology may be applied in software development, productivity, and business processes. It also encourages them to consider not only what AI can generate, but how AI-powered systems can be incorporated into practical workflows.
The hardware supporting these workloads was another part of the program. Mr. Denney Driz of Kingston discussed storage solutions designed for modern computing needs, emphasizing the importance of speed and hardware durability.
Storage plays an important role in systems that handle large datasets, software applications, AI models, and project files. Although overall AI performance also depends on components such as the processor, graphics processing unit, and memory, reliable storage helps support efficient data access and dependable system operation. Understanding these requirements gives students a more complete picture of the hardware considerations involved in developing and running AI applications.
Vibe Coding and AI-Assisted Game Development
The program also examined how AI can support the process of turning ideas into working software. Returning to the stage, Mr. Jesse Tan demonstrated vibe coding and its practical applications, showcasing programs he had developed using AI-assisted coding workflows.
Vibe coding involves using natural-language prompts and AI-powered tools to help generate, modify, and refine code. It can provide an accessible starting point for people who want to experiment with software development, build prototypes, or explore application ideas. However, reviewing generated code, testing functionality, and addressing errors remain important parts of creating reliable software.
By demonstrating programs he had developed with AI, Mr. Tan showed students how these tools can be incorporated into practical projects. The session offered a look at how AI can support the development process while giving aspiring programmers another way to explore their ideas.
The discussion took on a more personal dimension with the appearance of Matthew Labrador, a self-taught game developer and UP Manila student. His presentation, “How AI Helped the Development of Tump,” explored how AI contributed to the creation of his game inspired by tumbang preso, a traditional Filipino outdoor game.
Labrador's project connected modern development tools with a familiar part of Filipino childhood. By adapting a traditional game into a digital experience, Tump demonstrated how developers can draw inspiration from local culture and use technology to reinterpret familiar activities for new audiences.
His presence also helped create a stronger connection with the audience. As a fellow UP Manila student, Labrador brought a relatable perspective to the discussion, showing how someone within their own academic community could pursue an independent game-development project and incorporate AI into the creative process.
Tump Tournament Brings the Campus Crowd Together
The enthusiasm surrounding Labrador's presentation extended beyond the discussion itself. Taking advantage of the event's setting at his own university, he organized a mini Tump tournament for event attendees, turning his presentation into an opportunity for students to experience the game firsthand.
The activity brought an additional layer of excitement to the program, encouraging attendees to participate rather than simply watch from the audience. The response reflected the value of connecting technical topics with interactive experiences that students could relate to and enjoy.
More importantly, the tournament offered a practical demonstration of the ideas behind Labrador's talk. Students were not just hearing about a game developed with the help of AI; they were engaging with the resulting experience and seeing how software development can transform an idea into something people can play.
The combination of a locally inspired game, a student developer, and an enthusiastic campus audience gave this part of the event a distinct identity. It also reinforced a central message of AI education: the technology is not limited to laboratories, large companies, or experienced developers. With the right tools, knowledge, and experimentation, individuals can begin exploring their own creative projects.
Bringing AI Awareness to the Next Generation
To complement the discussions on AI applications and development, Mr. Tan also led a PC-building seminar that introduced attendees to the fundamentals of assembling a desktop computer. The session connected the event's AI-focused discussions with the hardware that enables modern computing.
As part of the activity, a participant was invited onstage to assemble a PC while Mr. Tan continued his presentation. The challenge added an interactive element to the seminar, with a liquid cooler offered as a prize for completing the build before the presentation concluded.
The activity gave students a practical look at how individual components come together to form a functioning system. For those interested in AI, gaming, and software development, understanding PC hardware can help provide context for the computing resources required by different applications and workloads.
Across its sessions, NVIDIA AI Ready Campus brought together several dimensions of technology education: understanding AI, exploring emerging applications, learning about hardware, experimenting with AI-assisted development, and experiencing a locally inspired game created by a fellow student.
PC Express and NVIDIA Make AI Education More Accessible
The UP Manila stop of NVIDIA AI Ready Campus demonstrated how technology education can benefit from combining industry knowledge with practical demonstrations and opportunities for student participation. Rather than focusing exclusively on AI tools, the program introduced attendees to the broader ecosystem behind them, including computing hardware, software development, and real-world applications.
This approach is particularly relevant for students preparing for careers in an increasingly technology-driven environment. AI awareness involves more than knowing how to use an AI-powered application; it also means understanding its capabilities, recognizing its limitations, and exploring how the technology can be applied responsibly to solve problems or develop new ideas.
Through its partnership with NVIDIA and participating technology brands, PC Express helps bring these learning opportunities directly to educational communities. Its involvement connects students with industry perspectives and the hardware behind modern computing, while practical activities make technical concepts more approachable.
The event's combination of AI seminars, development demonstrations, PC-building activities, and the Tump tournament also showed that technology education can extend beyond formal presentations. When students have opportunities to ask questions, explore tools, and engage with projects created by people within their own community, AI becomes more tangible and accessible.
As NVIDIA AI Ready Campus continues to bring these discussions to school campuses, PC Express reinforces its role in connecting technology products with education and community engagement. By helping students move from simply using AI to understanding and creating with it, the initiative supports a new generation of Filipino learners, developers, and innovators.