Thoughts on Learning AI at the NAS Summit
When people hear about the NAS Summit, the first thing they bring up is the controversy around Nas. But this is not about him. I know some people are quick to judge those who attended, even saying nasty things online. For me, it is never fair to judge a book by its cover.
As a filmmaker and photographer, I’m very conservative when it comes to AI. I do documentaries, and authenticity means everything to me. That’s why I’ve always been careful about using technology that might take away from real human stories. Still, I came to the summit with an open heart and an open mind. I wanted to see how others are using AI properly and if there are lessons I could take home to become a better storyteller and communicator.
Now, let me be real. Nas Daily videos and his style have never been my thing. I’ve always been drawn to long form documentaries where you can sit with a story, not quick, punchy one-minute content. But at the same time, I cannot deny the fact that he made it. He created a brand and a global following that most creators only dream of. And for that, I know I have something to learn from him, even if I don’t create in the same way.
Being Filipino, I also knew I would get some eyes rolling at me for being part of this event. I am also aware of the issues raised in the Philippines about Nas, especially when Whang-Od, our respected tattoo artist and cultural treasure, was announced to be part of Nas Academy. Her family came out saying they had not given proper consent, and this caused widespread outrage about the exploitation of indigenous communities. That controversy, along with a few other sensitive stories, is not something I take lightly. I do not condone exploitation in any form. But I also see that despite those mistakes, he has built something that continues to draw creators and businesses worldwide. For me, I will not judge, but I will learn, from both the successes and the missteps, so I do not repeat them in my own work.
Filipino Creators Taking the Stage
One of the highlights for me was seeing so many Filipino creators on stage. Jen Barangan, Abigail Marquez, also meeting the CEO of Blogapalooza Ace Gapuz reminded us that Filipinos have a strong voice in the global creative space. Jamrell Buynay, who is based in Bangkok, proudly attended and represented our community here in Thailand. Eliz, a Filipino managing director from Bali, showed a lot of courage when she joined a live “business roast.” Read more..
Workshops from creators like Techguyver opened my eyes to how AI can actually help us tell better stories, work more efficiently, and expand our creativity. The summit wasn’t just about listening to talks, it was also about connecting with people. I met so many Filipino and international creators who were encouraging and inspiring. The conversations reminded me that storytelling goes beyond borders.
Eat the Meat and Throw the Bones
At the end of the day, I left with so many new ideas. Some I will use, some I will leave behind. Like a good friend once told me, “eat the meat and throw the bones.”
The NAS Summit reminded me that even in the middle of criticism and imperfection, there are always opportunities to learn, to grow, and to connect. For me as a Filipino documentary filmmaker and photographer who values authenticity, that is what really matters.
