December 29, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The country should take proactive steps to prepare its workforce for the transformative challenges and opportunities brought about by artificial intelligence (AI).
In a statement, the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) said discussions on AI should not only focus on the potential disruptions it may bring but also the opportunities it offers.
AI, according to IBPAP president and CEO Jack Madrid, is not a “distant challenge” but a “present reality” that is already reshaping industries and economies globally.
Madrid said the IT-BPM sector has demonstrated how early adoption of AI can create significant opportunities.
This early adoption is claimed to have boosted productivity and improved service quality, positioning the sector as a model for successfully navigating AI disruption.
“However, we must not stop there. The Philippines must act decisively to prepare the broader workforce, leveraging our leadership in IT-BPM as a blueprint for other industries,” he said.
The Philippines is the second-largest IT-BPM hub in the world, with the sector projected to close the year generating about $38 billion in revenues and employing 1.82 million Filipinos.
Citing its latest data, IBPAP said 67 percent of member companies have integrated AI technologies into their operations.
IBPAP, however, emphasized that the opportunities created by AI must be paired with a nationwide initiative to “upskill the broader workforce and mitigate potential job losses across other sectors.”
As such, the organization has urged the government, the private sector and academia to work together to build a future-ready workforce.
IBPAP has likewise renewed its call to prioritize funding for AI-centered upskilling programs and integrate digital and AI-related skills into the national education curriculum.
“By taking bold and proactive steps, the Philippines can maintain its position as a global IT-BPM leader while fostering inclusive economic growth,” it said.
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