Filipinos lead world in AI adoption in the workplace: Microsoft Philippines

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Microsoft Philippines (NASDAQ: MSFT) said Filipinos have emerged as a global leader in adopting generative artificial intelligence (AI) among knowledge workers. This insight was shared following the 2024 Work Trend Index results, conducted in collaboration with LinkedIn.

An impressive 86% of knowledge workers in the Philippines integrate AI into their work routines. This figure surpasses both the global average of 75% and the regional average of 83%.

ABS-CBN News quoted Microsoft Philippines Peter Maquera saying that Filipino employees are not only leading Asia but also setting the pace globally in using AI to enhance productivity, efficiency, and creativity.

Challenges in corporate AI adoption

Despite the high individual usage of AI, Philippine companies have been slower to integrate this technology. As a result, around 83% of Filipino AI users bring their own AI solutions to work. Microsoft has noted that this trend introduces potential privacy, security, and legal risks for companies. Nevertheless, Maquera expressed optimism about the country’s AI adoption rate, noting that major corporations actively seek to integrate AI into their operations.

While banks and telecommunications firms have pioneered AI integration in the Philippines, other industries are following suit. Sectors such as retail, manufacturing, airlines, transportation, and logistics are also exploring the deployment of AI technologies.

Balancing AI regulation

Maquera emphasized the importance of government regulation of AI but warned against the risks of over-regulation.

In response to the growing AI trend, a bill has been introduced in Congress advocating for establishing the Artificial Intelligence Development Authority (AIDA) under House Bill 7396, known as the “Artificial Intelligence Development and Regulation Act of the Philippines.”

Several government departments, including the Interior, Education, and Justice departments, have expressed their support for the creation of an AI regulatory body.

In an earlier interview with CoinGeek, Professor Eugene Rex Jalao, Program Coordinator for the Artificial Intelligence Program at the University of the Philippines, said there are gaps in existing laws, particularly concerning intellectual property rights and labor protections related to AI use.

Jalao also said that there should be labor law protections from AI wherein companies planning to deploy AI solutions should not be used as a reason to replace our jobs but only to enhance our productivity. He added that the national policy would help fund AI research, AI laboratories, and equipment procurement.

Worldwide trend

According to the 2024 Work Trend Index, the use of generative AI among global knowledge workers has nearly doubled in the past six months, reaching 75%. “2024 is the year AI at work gets real,” states the latest report by Microsoft and LinkedIn.

Microsoft and LinkedIn conducted extensive research, surveying 31,000 people across 31 countries and analyzing vast amounts of productivity data from Microsoft 365. The findings offer crucial insights and actionable steps for leaders and professionals to harness AI’s potential. “The data points to insights every leader and professional needs to know,” the report concludes, providing a roadmap for overcoming AI inertia and driving organizational success.

The transition from AI experimentation to full-scale business transformation mirrors past tech disruptions, such as the advent of the internet and personal computers. Organizations that successfully leverage AI to drive growth, manage costs, and enhance customer value are poised to outpace their competitors.

“We’ve come to the hard part of any tech disruption,” the report notes, emphasizing the necessity for broad adoption.

AI’s impact on the labor market

AI is set to significantly reshape the labor market, yet concerns about job loss are met with a surprising reality: a talent shortage for key roles. “Leaders report a talent shortage for key roles… [even] as AI aptitude starts to rival experience,” the report finds. This shift suggests that while AI will elevate performance expectations, it will also provide new career opportunities for many employees.

In order for artificial intelligence (AI) to work right within the law and thrive in the face of growing challenges, it needs to integrate an enterprise blockchain system that ensures data input quality and ownership—allowing it to keep data safe while also guaranteeing the immutability of data. Check out CoinGeek’s coverage on this emerging tech to learn more why Enterprise blockchain will be the backbone of AI.

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