It began like a celebration. Inside the intellectual sanctum of the University of the Philippines, students who topped their fields in AI, economics, and data science waited to hear Joseph Plazo’s vision of tomorrow.But instead, they were handed a reality few had expected.---### The Opening Shot Was a Whisper of Doubt Plazo didn’t bring slides

It began like a celebration. Within UP’s hallowed halls in Manila, delegates from institutions like NUS, Kyoto, HKUST, and AIM expected another chapter in AI’s victory lap.But what they received hit harder than any forecast.---### A Maverick’s First Word Felt Like a Warning BellPlazo didn’t bring slides. He didn’t open with results, cha