The Philippine business process outsourcing (BPO) industry is set to become a frontrunner in artificial intelligence (AI) adoption, thanks to substantial advancements and strategic preparations.
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) anticipates the industry will achieve a milestone revenue of $40 billion in 2024 and employ 1.84 million people by the end of the year.
The organization has also laid an ambitious roadmap for 2028, projecting substantial growth driven by AI integration. According to the roadmap, the industry aims to catch up with global competition by using AI to optimize processes and improve service delivery.
The government’s efforts to support AI adoption are equally strong. Senator Risa Hontiveros has highlighted the importance of protecting BPO workers from displacement by AI chatbots, advocating for policies that balance technological advancement with job security.
National initiatives and regional collaboration
In the broader landscape, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) also launched the National AI Strategy Roadmap 2.0 (NAISR 2.0) to foster innovation and position the Philippines as a key player in the digital economy.
The roadmap includes establishing the Center for AI Research (CAIR), which aims to unlock new opportunities in the digital economy by encouraging research and development in AI technologies, including generative AI.
In addition, the Philippines proposed the development of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) AI regulatory framework. This initiative, spearheaded by House Speaker Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, aims to establish regional guidelines for AI use, ensuring that Southeast Asia can collectively navigate the complexities of AI adoption.
The proposed framework will address critical issues such as data privacy, ethical AI use, and cross-border collaboration. This legal framework will be presented to ASEAN when the Philippines hosts the World Economic Forum in 2026.
The Philippines is driving comprehensive AI integration efforts in the local BPO industry and beyond, setting the stage for sustainable growth and job protection and ensuring that technological advancements benefit the broader economy.
Read more Unity Communications and industry news on our main BPO News page.
How the Philippines is adopting AI in the BPO industry. (n.d.). People Matters. Retrieved from https://www.peoplemattersglobal.com/article/technology/how-the-philippines-is-adopting-ai-in-the-business-process-outsourcing-industry-41952
Republic of the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry. (2024, July 5). DTI Drives AI Innovation with National Roadmap 2.0 and CAIR Launch. Retrieved from https://www.dti.gov.ph/news/dti-drives-ai-innovation-national-roadmap-2-0-cair-launch/
Reuters. (2024, January 17). Philippines to propose ASEAN AI regulatory framework, house speaker says. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/technology/philippines-propose-asean-ai-regulatory-framework-house-speaker-says-2024-01-17/
