Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption among Philippine businesses remains limited despite growing access to digital technologies, highlighting the need for stronger infrastructure, skills development, and governance, according to a recent study by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS).
The study found that while 90.8% of Philippine establishments have computers and 81% have internet access, only 14.9% use AI tools, with overall AI adoption across industries standing at just 3%. Researchers identified weak digital infrastructure, limited AI awareness, skills shortages, and inadequate funding as the primary barriers, particularly for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
TELUS Digital Philippines is demonstrating how organizations can accelerate AI adoption by combining technology investments with workforce development. The company has introduced AI hackathons, AI-powered learning tools, and simulation platforms that help employees build practical AI skills while improving business operations.
To address concerns surrounding data privacy and responsible AI use, the company also developed Fuel iX, an internal AI platform designed with built-in security and governance. According to TELUS Digital Philippines Country Vice President Anne Muñoz, successful AI adoption depends not only on technology but also on building employee trust, confidence, and responsible usage.
AI is already delivering measurable business value within the company. During its annual employee engagement survey, AI analyzed more than 15,000 employee comments from over 25,000 team members, reducing analysis time by 70% and allowing HR teams to focus on action planning instead of manual data processing.
Beyond its operations, TELUS Digital Philippines is expanding AI literacy through partnerships with the Aboitiz Foundation and the Department of Education, providing educators with hands-on AI training to support future-ready teaching.
The company emphasized that achieving nationwide AI readiness will require stronger collaboration among government, industry, and the private sector to improve infrastructure, expand funding opportunities, and establish clear governance frameworks that enable businesses of all sizes to adopt AI responsibly.
