Building an ideal organizational culture starts with opening spaces where ideas and thoughts can be shared. This is the overall goal of the Digital Solutions (DS) Team’s Open Space gatherings, which just wrapped up its second installment on 01 July 2025 at the International Rice Research Headquarters (IRRI HQ) with 12 members joining the discussions.

Over the course of a little more than an hour, the conversations revolved around four topics with the most votes. The initial round allowed members to choose a topic they want to listen and join in, while everyone was convened for the second round to discuss the final topic.

Three topics were shortlisted for the initial round:

1. 1. Does Digital Solutions have an edge in the digital agriculture space? Why or why not?

   2. Should utilization of AI be the norm in the workplace?

   3. Strategizing a holistic approach that empowers teams and fosters a culture of continuous improvement and innovation

These were facilitated by Jack Lagare (Solutions Enablement Lead), Renee Lat (DevOps Specialist), and Rica Mariano (Learning Course Junior Specialist), respectively. Key highlights from each group’s conversations were then presented.

Jack shared that DS is at a strategic position to drive “innovative solutions to solve age-old problems,” but that it comes with choosing opportunities wisely. For the second group, Renee pointed out that while AI can certainly aid in accomplishing mundane tasks, team members should not fully depend on it. Summarizing the thoughts from the third group, Rica noted that a curious attitude paired with a rewards system can encourage staff to keep improving.

In keeping with the session’s goal, the second round asked members to reflect on how an open and safe space can be established within the team, where seemingly basic and uncomfortable questions/topics can be talked about.

There was a resounding agreement on the point that a culture of openness is a shared responsibility among team leads and staff members alike. This can begin with the simple, but powerful, gesture of listening and giving colleagues the time they need to express their ideas.

Remarking on his experience with the Open Space sessions so far, PJ Sinohin (Software Platform Senior Specialist) shares that “having an avenue to discuss, not work-related, but work-relevant issues” is helpful and provides “a productive breather for the team,”

Thus far, the DS Open Space is a monthly activity of team members based in IRRI HQ, Philippines.