Microsoft Philippines head of communications Josh Aquino says Filipino employees are more well-versed in using artificial intelligence (AI) than the global average, according to a new study by the tech giant. Handout
MANILA — Filipino employees are more well-versed in using artificial intelligence (AI) than the global average, a new study by tech giant Microsoft showed.
In its latest Work Trend Index Report, Microsoft noted that 25 percent of Filipinos are "frontier professionals" when it comes to AI use: they use AI for complex, multi-step tasks, redesign workflows around what AI does well, and set standards for the quality of AI-assisted work.
Globally, only 16 percent of employees are "frontier professionals," the study showed.
Some 66 percent of Filipino employees also said they worry about falling behind if they don't adapt quickly to AI. But here's the gap: only 35 percent said their company leadership is consistent in encouraging the proper use of AI.
Furthermore, only 25 percent said they are rewarded for reinventing how they work with AI.
"Our people have gone further than the systems, and closing that gap is the opportunity in front of every leader in this market," said Microsoft Philippines head of communications Josh Aquino.
Aquino noted that global data showed that 67 percent of the impact of AI comes from organizational factors, such as managerial support and the guidelines leaders set in place.
He said businesses must now be ready to tap their employees' skills in AI to drive growth. Aquino added that aside from clear instructions on AI use, companies must also reward employees for upgrading workflows on what AI can do for their team.
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"Back your managers, because the data shows they are the multiplier more than any other group," he said.
"Scale the learning, get out of pilots, turn one team's win into [the] company standard. None of these requires new technology; they require decisions," he said.
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Aquino said Microsoft counts the Department of Education (DepEd) and "most of the major banks" in the Philippines among its clients.
He noted, however, that even small and medium enterprises can invest in AI for their employees.
"One of the big opportunities for this is M356 for a small business is $20, $30 a month. Copilot including Cowork is another $20, $30 a month. So $60, which I understand...we appreciate that that is not a small amount for small businesses. There's ways that we can have scaled down further, but [for] $60, you have your you have your entire back office now," he said.