Soon after highlighting its new AI language inclusivity partnerships, Google held a press event in the Philippines to share a report about how AI can help continue the country’s economic momentum.
To be exact, Google presented a report titled “Turbocharging Growth: The Philippines’ AI Opportunity” by the London-based public policy research agency, Public First. This study noted that AI has the potential to boost the country’s economy by PHP 1.8 trillion (that’s around US$31 billion).
That’s not to say that the study only focuses on the future. There, it’s also noted that Filipinos are already big AI users, with half the population regularly using AI tools at least once a week. The study also found that 46% of Filipinos are optimistic about AI’s potential for the country, with 50% being optimistic about AI’s impact on a personal level.
Other interesting numbers include the fact that AI is said to be able to increase the productivity of 37% of the workforce, leading to potential wage increases of over 6%. The sectors with the biggest gains in productivity include Wholesale and Retail, Finance and Insurance, and Public Administration and Defense.
Of course, AI has resulted in major shake-ups to various industries, with some industries being affected by layoffs (which some attribute to the rise in AI). According to the report though, AI may lead to an increase in new roles to manage AI tools, which should mean that upskilling is becoming more important. Based on the report, 90% of workers are interested in training to understand how AI models work.
L-R: Gabby Roxas, Country Marketing Manager (Google Vietnam & Philippines), Pat Choa, Site Director (Google Philippines), and Rudy Guiao, CIO Lead, Managing Director for IT in the Philippines, China, and SEA, and Managing Director sponsor for Corporate Citizenship & Disability Inclusion (Accenture)
With this in mind, Google affirmed its commitment to help Filipinos enhanced their AI skills through a range of partnerships, including ones with the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Information and Communications Technology, and the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP).
“AI is more than just a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool that can help every Filipino—from students to parents to business owners—thrive in a rapidly changing world,” said Gabby Roxas, Country Marketing Manager, Google Philippines and Vietnam. “This report gives us a clear picture of what’s possible, and it’s up to all of us to ensure we have the skills needed to seize this incredible opportunity.”
Currently, Google has teamed up with companies like Accenture, with employees of the said company getting access to Google Career Certificates for AI skills training.
For more on the potential of AI in the PH, you can read the full report by Public First here.