Philippine businesses urged to embrace AI amidst job market changes
MAKATI, PHILIPPINES — The Philippines must adapt to artificial intelligence (AI) amidst transformations in the job market before it’s too late.
This was the strong call of Sanjay Sarma, president of the Asia School of Business (ASB), to businesses and academic institutions in a recent media roundtable at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati.
Sarma urged them not to underestimate the power of AI, but rather, swiftly adapt to it. “For the first time, a very fundamental aspect of the uniqueness of human beings is being taken by machines,” he remarked. “These are the implications, and it’s only the beginning.”
On the impact of AI on the job market, Sarma pointed out that call centers and business process management (BPM) companies will witness significant transformations.
“In the Philippines, AI is going to replace jobs and accept that. And the Philippines should become the country that leads the world in how to use AI in call centers. It will put some people out of work, but at least you define the rules of how it works,” Sarma said.
Sarma also highlighted that industries such as restaurants and gas stations will be affected by AI, just like how ATMs revolutionized the banking sector.
Despite the looming disruptions, Sarma stressed the urgent need for comprehensive education on AI as well as the proactive measures to harness it, “You have to take the bull by the horns and ride it.”
