Marcos to investors: Philippines ready for AI

SAN FRANCISCO – The Philippines is ready for artificial intelligence (AI), President Marcos said yesterday, as he assured investors that efforts are underway to use the technology to boost the skills of workers and the competitiveness of businesses.

Speaking before technology investors on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit here, Marcos said the Philippines is embracing the future of AI with the crafting of the National AI Strategy that aims to enhance the existing skills of Filipinos. The strategy also seeks to position the Philippines as a “center of excellence in artificial intelligence,” he added.

“The Philippines is ready to become your partner in navigating the AI future. As we look to the horizon, let’s ‘Make It Happen in the Philippines,’ where the promise of a future defined by technological inclusivity and shared growth is not just envisioned but actively realized,” the President said.

“We believe AI can uplift the lives of Filipinos, increase the productivity of our enterprises, and enhance the competitiveness of our economy,” he added.

Marcos cited the importance of upskilling and training to industry demands, saying cultivating a “future-ready workforce” is a shared responsibility.

“We stand on the cusp of the artificial intelligence revolution and that promises untold advancements but it also presents some rather unexpected challenges. It hinges on a workforce equipped with the necessary skills and an ecosystem that embraces technological inclusivity,” the Chief Executive said.

The Philippine government and leading Silicon Valley firms agreed to collaborate on AI and cybersecurity during the meeting, according to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO).

David Dewalt, CEO of Nightdragon, a leading venture capital firm for cybersecurity, security, safety and privacy, said his company and the other tech firms present at the meeting were looking forward to bringing technologies, particularly generative AI, to the Philippines.

“The way I would say it is the Filipinos have an unbelievable ability to integrate in the global business systems like we do, maybe unmatched by any workforce on the planet,” Dewalt was quoted in a PCO statement as saying.

“I think using the upskilling and the retraining of those teams to focus on how we will – when we get the productivity benefits – invest in more resources, we can do that even more so in the Philippines with teams that are experts on generative AI,” he added.

Ryan McInerney, CEO of Visa, said generative AI would be a “leveling force” for small businesses, noting that the internet is being used for shopping.

Generative AI would give micro, nano and small businesses the tools and capabilities to provide Filipinos a rich, shopping and commerce experience, he added.

Marcos said the Philippines still has a distinct lack of trained talents, hence the need for training on new technologies. He also pointed out that the government and private sector are vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.

“And the part that AI plays in this is also something that we need to be – at least to have put a good deal of thought to,” Marcos said.

“As I said, digitalizing our system, we have now to put in together, we need to have data centers, we need to have our own cloud... so that we have again that capability.”

The roundtable meeting, attended by investors and representatives of private firms in the technology sector, was co-organized by Dewalt, Bain and Co. CEO Emmanuel Maceda and the trade department.

Aside from Dewalt, Maceda and McInerney, investors present during the event were Crescent Point Group vice chairman Thomas Pompidou, Microsoft managing director Michelle Gonzalez, Mandiant CEO Kevin Mandia, Group of the Government of Singapore Investment Corp. head Chris Emanuel, Plug and Play Ventures CEO Saeed Amidi, Altimeter CEO Brad Gerstner, HP CEO Enrique Lores, Mastercard co-president Ling Hai and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei.

During the meeting, Marcos trumpeted the Philippines’ economic gains, noting that the country’s gross domestic product grew by 7.6 percent last year, the highest since 1976. He also mentioned the fiscal incentives given to investors as well as measures aimed at improving the ease of doing business in the country.

“To our current and future partners, I hope that this meeting will serve as an opportunity to create a shared vision for a future where the Philippine workforce is empowered, skilled, and ready to shape the digital age,” the President said. — Delon Porcalla