The Philippines and AI: Two kinds of surveys

When it comes to the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Philippines, perspectives are sharply divided.

On one side, there are surveys that paint a grim picture of the country's readiness for AI. On the other, there are reports highlighting the Philippines as a burgeoning hub of AI interest and usage.

This dichotomy raises intriguing questions about the future of AI in the Philippines and the paths it might take.

The negative outlook

Two prominent surveys underscore the challenges the Philippines faces in AI readiness:

•    Descartes Institute: This institute’s report delivers a stark verdict on the Philippines' digital preparedness, rating it 82nd out of 124, with digital skills at a disappointing zero. This suggests significant hurdles in infrastructure, digital literacy, and overall readiness to embrace AI.

•    Oxford Insights: Another sobering assessment comes from Oxford Insights, which downgraded the Philippines' ranking for government AI readiness at 65th out of 193, primarily due to deficiencies in human capital. This highlights issues in education and training that could impede the country’s ability to leverage AI effectively.

The positive perspective

Contrasting these negative assessments are several reports that shine a light on the Philippines' growing enthusiasm and engagement with AI:

•    Electronics Hub: According to this report, the Philippines ranks first globally in terms of AI interest, measured by monthly search volumes per 100,000 population. This indicates a high level of curiosity and potential early adoption among Filipinos.

•    Writerbuddy Report: This report places the Philippines fourth worldwide for web traffic to AI-related sites, trailing only behind the US, India, and Indonesia. Considering the smaller population of the Philippines compared to these countries, this is a remarkable achievement.

•    Microsoft and LinkedIn Study: Perhaps the most encouraging statistic comes from this recent study, which found that 86% of Filipino knowledge workers already use some form of AI, significantly higher than the global average of 75%. This suggests a proactive approach by Filipino professionals in integrating AI into their workflows.

Figure 1: Electronics Hub: Global search Interest per 100,000 in Text AI tools

Reconciling the contradictions

The contrasting findings from these surveys paint a complex picture. On one hand, the Philippines struggles with foundational aspects of AI readiness. On the other hand, there is a palpable interest and significant usage of AI tools among the population.

This contradiction might be explained by the adaptability and resilience of Filipino individuals and businesses, who are finding ways to leverage AI despite systemic challenges. And the most sobering implication perhaps: Filipinos are learning AI, but outside the classroom.

A bright spot amid challenges

Despite the challenges highlighted by some surveys, the Philippines stands out as a bright spot for AI. The high levels of interest and usage indicate a potential for growth that could overcome the current hurdles in digital readiness and human capital.

By focusing on building skills across the spectrum—from developers to end-users—the Philippines can transform its AI landscape and become a significant player in the global AI arena.

Dominic Ligot is the founder, CEO and CTO of CirroLytix, a social impact AI company. He also serves as the head of AI and Research at the IT and BPM Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), and the Philippines' representative to the Expert Advisory Panel on the International Scientific Report on Advanced AI Safety.