Charting New Frontiers: Risk, AI, and the Future of GRC in the Philippines with Rookie Nagtalon

In this episode of Risk Is Our Business, Captain Michael Rasmussen welcomes Rookie Nagtalon, technology executive, strategist, and AI advocate, for a conversation about how governance, risk, and compliance are evolving in one of Asia's fastest-changing digital economies. The discussion begins with the realities keeping Philippine organizations awake at night. From increasingly complex regulatory requirements to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence, Rookie explains how organizations are balancing innovation with governance while strengthening the people, processes, and technologies that underpin effective risk management. Michael and Rookie explore what makes the Philippine approach to risk and compliance distinctive, where organizations continue to mature, and why developing AI capabilities, improving workflows, and investing in the right skills have become strategic priorities. They also examine the remarkable diversity of the Asia-Pacific region, arguing that there is no single APAC model for GRC and discussing how the Philippines is helping shape regional thinking around digital transformation and modern governance. Artificial intelligence remains a central theme throughout the conversation. Rookie shares his perspective on AI governance, AI risk, and why successful AI initiatives depend less on sophisticated models than on trustworthy, well-governed data. The discussion also explores the current state of AI regulation in the Philippines and how organizations can prepare for a regulatory landscape that continues to evolve alongside the technology itself. The episode concludes by looking toward 2030, considering how governance, risk, and compliance may change over the coming years and what organizations can do today to build the capabilities they'll need for tomorrow. It's a thoughtful discussion about leadership, technology, and why the future of GRC will belong to organizations that combine innovation with disciplined governance.