India’s strict AI regulation could boost Philippine IT sector – IBPAP
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Information Technology and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) believes that India’s tightening regulations on artificial intelligence (AI) deployment could steer more AI investment to the Philippines.
“I don’t know if the India thing will stick… but since that’s the signal right now, the number two Philippines can swoop in to take the AI jobs,” Dominic Vincent Ligot, IBPAP consultant for AI and technology and founder of data analytics company CirroLytix, told BusinessWorld.
India recently issued an advisory requiring tech firms to obtain government approval before releasing AI models or services that are unreliable or still under testing, a move that raised concerns among startups and industry leaders.
As the second-largest outsourcing destination globally, the Philippines is well-positioned to capture a larger share of AI investment if the Indian government makes it harder for companies to deploy AI tools.
The Philippines ranks first in monthly search volume for AI tools and fourth in AI usage, suggesting strong potential for growth, according to Ligot.
“We have encouraging statistics on interest in and usage of AI. We should step up our own position to be open and supportive of AI innovation but also be wary of risks,” he said.
IBPAP is supportive of risk management regulation and incentives for AI development. However, the association is wary of blanket bans like House Bill 9448, which aims to regulate AI and automation to protect jobs.
Ligot said that around 45% of IBPAP members are already experimenting with AI, with less than a third at the deployment stage. Most use cases involve agent-assist technology that allows agents to handle more calls faster without eliminating their roles.
IBPAP, in collaboration with Everest Group, is revising its 2028 industry roadmap in a strategic move to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
