By Krystal Anjela H. Gamboa, Special Features and Content Writer
Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved beyond the stage of experimentation. Across industries, governments, and institutions, the question is no longer whether AI matters, but whether organizations are prepared to harness it responsibly and competitively.
In the Philippines, that transition is becoming increasingly visible. Businesses are investing in automation, executives are integrating AI into strategic planning, and policymakers are beginning to confront the implications of rapid technological change.
Yet, beneath optimism lies a more complicated reality: adoption alone is not enough.
In a panel discussion at the recent BusinessWorld Economic Forum titled “Beyond Adoption: Tapping AI’s Potential Through Regulation and Capacity-building,” executives and policy experts argue that the Philippines now faces a deeper change toward developing the governance structures, workforce capabilities, educational reforms, and institutional readiness necessary to maximize the long-term value of AI technologies in the country.
For many, AI still feels like a futuristic concept. However, Henry Rhoel R. Aguda, secretary of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), opened the discussion with a grounding reality check: “AI isn’t coming. It’s already here.”
His message underscored that the time for theoretical debate has passed. The technology is already being woven into the fabric of daily life and commerce, and the window for proactive leadership is narrowing.
The challenge, according to Mr. Aguda, is not just to use AI, but to govern it in a way that does not stifle the very progress it promises.
“AI governance can’t be about choosing between innovation and protection. We need both,” he stressed in his address to the forum’s attendees.
According to Globe Business Marketing Head Jonathan Cristobal, businesses are no longer debating whether to invest in AI. Instead, they are grappling with how to operationalize it at scale.
“Few years ago, the question was ‘Should we invest in AI? How do we start?’ Today the question is, ‘How do we scale AI?’” Mr. Cristobal said during the panel discussion.
Additionally, Chito Ramos of Deloitte Philippines cited data showing that 80% of Philippine chief executive officers (CEOs) are comfortable using AI to make major strategic decisions, suggesting that leadership confidence in AI is steadily growing.
That shift reflects a broader global trend. AI tools have become more accessible, more visible, and more integrated into everyday operations. Companies are using generative AI for content creation, predictive analytics for customer engagement, and automation tools for workflow optimization. In boardrooms, AI is increasingly viewed as a strategic necessity rather than an experimental technology.
Building the foundation of trust
One of the most recurring themes of the discussion was the concept of trust. In an age where deepfakes and algorithmic bias are becoming commonplace, public confidence is the currency of technological success.
To build this trust, DICT, for its part, is advocating for a shift in how the state regulates technology.
“Rules must be principle-based and flexible. Technology moves too fast for rigid regulation,” Mr. Aguda explained.
This should involve strengthening the national AI strategy by embedding core values—ethics, transparency, accountability, and human oversight—directly into the framework.
Mohamed Shahudh, country economist of United Nations Development Programme Philippines, echoed this sentiment from a global and historical perspective. He warned that if governance fails to be inclusive, AI could become a tool of divergence rather than convergence.
“Historically, forces of divergence were far greater than convergence in past technological waves,” Mr. Shahudh noted.
He highlighted that previous industrial revolutions propelled the Global North into sustained growth while non-industrial societies fell behind.
“Each wave rewards early adopters, often displacing the least prepared. This is very much the risk that we face today,” he highlighted.
Cybersecurity as resilience infrastructure
As AI becomes more integrated into business processes, the surface area for cyber threats expands.
Mel T. Migriño, country head and general manager of Gogolook/Whoscall and chair of the Women in Security Alliance Philippines, noted that AI integration is no longer a luxury but a necessity.
She added that AI can be a powerful ally in this fight, helping to predict market intelligence and bring longer customer relationships, but it also introduces new vulnerabilities.
“Cybersecurity is no longer just technical; it’s about national resilience and public trust in ICT,” Ms. Migriño remarked.
She expressed concern over the current state of the industry, noting that while the market seems oversaturated, the Philippines remains in a vulnerable transition phase.
For Ms. Migriño, the path forward involves a deep understanding of responsible or ethical use of AI.
She encouraged individuals and businesses to view AI as a partner in growth: “Look at how AI can upscale or retool you, how it can augment you.”
Connectivity and inclusion
Another concern raised in the discussion was the “digital divide,” as the speakers conferred that AI is useless without the underlying infrastructure to support it.
“What’s the point of AI if you do not have connectivity?” Mr. Aguda stressed in his message.
The DICT, the secretary added, is currently expanding digital infrastructure through programs guided by an equitable shift policy, ensuring that “no Filipino should be left behind.”
UNDP Philippines’ Mr, Shahudh broke down the challenge into three pillars of human development: people, economy, and governance. He argued, in particularly, that AI’s benefits will only be realized through a complex interaction of two widening gaps: capability and vulnerability. If the capability to use AI is concentrated in the hands of few while the vulnerability to its disruptions is felt by many, the social fabric could be at risk.
The path forward
The panelists called for a unified, collaborative approach to AI.
Contrary to an observed misconception that the private sector is elusive to oversight, Mr. Ramos of Deloitte Philippines clarified: “It’s a misconception that private companies don’t want regulation. We want regulations that are clear and consistent.”
Mr. Cristobal of Globe Business reinforced the need for outcome-based regulations rather than rigid ones, emphasizing that transparency, security, and fairness must be at the core.
“Human oversight should still be at the center,” he said, adding that this is particularly urgent as threats are already evolving.
“We already have AI-enabled fraud and breaches. What’s scarier is we’re still using legacy systems to counter these risks,” Mr. Cristobal noted.
Because formal legislation can be slow, however, Ms. Migriño suggested that the private sector take the initiative to act ethically.
“Regulations take time,” she noted. “Private sectors may start adopting an AI framework of our own.”
A shared responsibility
Ultimately, the transition to an AI-driven society is not the sole responsibility of the government or the tech titans. It requires the government to provide the regulation, the private sector to drive innovation, and the educational system to evolve in order to get the transition going.
Ms. Migriño observed that while the Philippines is currently lagging behind the ASEAN+5, the opportunity to catch up lies in public-private partnerships and a unified national approach.
As Mr. Shahudh concluded, “We should think of AI governance as a mechanism that builds on trust, whether it’s private or public sector.”
By focusing on trust, inclusivity, and the human edge, the Philippines can move beyond the hype of AI adoption and tap into its true potential as a tool for social inclusion and national prosperity.
Unlocking artificial intelligence’s potential through trust, inclusivity, and the human edge
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