Filipino CEOs trust AI, fear skills gap

MANILA, Philippines — Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a norm in Philippine-based companies, although top officials at these corporations are also facing the challenge of having to upskill their workers to remain competitive and catch up with technological advancements.

PwC found in its 2025 Global CEO Survey that 75 percent of 32 respondents from the Philippines trust having AI “embedded into key business processes.”

This is higher than the global average of 67 percent, implying that Philippine companies have a higher level of confidence in the potential of AI to enhance operations, PwC said in its report.

READ: AI to fuel further data center growth in ’25

“This enhanced trust in AI’s transformative potential is evident in their strategic planning,” it noted.

Of the Filipino CEO respondents, 47 percent said they primarily used AI in business processes and workflows. At the same time, 38 percent used it in technology platforms.

This signals “a proactive approach to leveraging technology for efficiency and growth,” according to PwC.

Apart from this, AI could also help provide deeper insights into consumer behavior, PwC Philippines deals, and corporate finance managing partner Mary Jade Roxas-Divinagracia explained.

At the same time, however, Filipino CEOs are observing a skills gap when it comes to technological advancement.

Keeping pace with rapid digitalization and recruiting workers with “critical skills needed for modern business operations” remained a challenge, PwC pointed out, with 28 percent of CEOs seeing technological disruption as a key threat to their business.

Based on the survey, upskilling is particularly needed in data analytics, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.

With an increasingly technology-driven business landscape, Philippine-based companies find an urgent need for workforce development programs and more digital transformation initiatives, PwC said.

Still, AI adoption is seen as a key factor in meeting operational needs and viability, with 88 percent of Filipino chief executives expecting it to be systematically integrated into essential business areas over the next three years.

“The rapid advancement of AI and digital technologies is fundamentally reshaping how businesses operate and compete in today’s market,” PwC Philippines chair and senior partner Roderick Danao said in a statement on Tuesday.

“By strategically adopting new technologies, leaders can create meaningful opportunities for their organizations and work to ensure long-term viability,” he added.

(2025/01/22-02:10)