By Ferdinand A Ferrer
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here and is already changing the way businesses operate in the country. In industries like manufacturing, FIns, Marketing and Education, AI is Increasing ImpactFEfficiency, guiding better decisions and unlocking insights from data like never before.
What we are seeing today is no trivial technological upgrade. The rapid spread of AI, and the increased productivity that comes with it, is forcing both businesses and governments to rethink how they manage operations, provide services, and make decisions.
This was very clear in a recent discussion between the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Artificial Intelligence for Public Health (AI4PH), a network of AI policy experts and industry leaders. The focus was not on whether AI would impact the Philippine economy, but on how it could be used to strengthen our competitiveness and ensure that Filipino workers remain relevant globally.
One thing came to the fore: AI is no longer a thieffiRequired for manufacturing or back-office automation; It is now driving innovation across the economy – from customer service and creative industries to education and research and development. Companies are using AI because it gives them deeper, faster, and more useful data, leading to better decisions and better outcomes.
When used well, AI allows people to do more, do it better, and do it more efficiently. But this change will not happen on its own. If AI is to lift the economy (rather than increase inequality), investments in people, similar to investments in technology, must be seriously pursued. Filipino workers need more than basic digital skills – they need to know how to work with AI tools to improve productivity, quality, and competitiveness.
This is where the government, schools and the private sector should work together. The government may consider recognizing and encouraging AI-related work as an apprenticeship-enabled occupation under the Enterprise-Based Education and Training (EBET) framework. This will allow companies to train young Filipinos in real workplace settings at low cost, something the industry desperately needs.
The mentality of the society should also move ahead with skills. If we envision our country to be more than just a user of AI, we need to compete in the infrastructure that makes AI possible – data centers, cloud services, and advanced computing. Without these, Filipinos will always be dependent on technology produced elsewhere.
As PCCI continues to engage the government on AI policy, our position is simple: AI should be a tool of development, not of fear. With smart regulation, serious investment in skills, and the right business environment, AI can help Philippine companies be more productive, more competitive, and better prepared for a rapidly changing global economy.
Ferdinand A. Ferrer is the newly elected president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). He is the Chairman and CEO of EMS Group, which is engaged in electronics assembly, engineering services, contract manufacturing and skills development with four locations in the Philippines and presence in five countries. He graduated from De La Salle University, Philippines with a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management.