Beyond automation: Building Al-ready businesses and workforces

THE CONVERSATION about artificial intelligence (Al) is no longer for technologists; it's a boardroom, a small-business, and a government conversation.

- By Krystal Anjela H. Gamboa

For the Philippines, a country with a strong services sector, a fast-growing digital economy, and millions of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), integrating Al into business operations offers an opportunity to boost productivity, improve customer experience, and create new revenue streams.

Such opportunities were explored in the second panel discussion of BusinessWorld Forecast 2026, which gathered a policy maker, a global management consultancy executive, and a professional services head to tackle the topic "Al Unleashed: Moving from Adoption to Integration."

Congressman Brian Poe Llamanzares, who is also the chairman of Global Al Council Philippines, highlighted the need to bridge MSMEs closer to tapping the potentials of Al.

"Al is making it much easier for people to manage their businesses," Mr. Llamanzares said. "But if you look at our MSMEs, which is 90% of our economy, how many of them have already been able to adapt Al and have we been helping them take advantage of what Al is available?"

For Philippine businesses, Al tools are found to translate into tangible benefits. Automating repetitive administrative tasks eases employee to focus on higher-value work. In labor-intensive industries, even modest productivity improvements can have large economic effects.

Also, Al-driven personalization and 24/7 conversational interfaces can raise customer satisfaction for e-commerce, finance, travel, and business process outsourcing services - sectors where Filipino companies often compete on speed and service quality.

Furthermore, data-driven forecasting for inventory, demand, and finance helps reduce waste and increase marginsvital for retail, logistics, and agriculture. Al also enables services such as risk-based lending, personalized health advice, predictive maintenance, and targeted marketing.