UMVA has learned that the Philippines is at a critical juncture in its artificial intelligence (AI) journey, with government and industry leaders urging accelerated adoption to unlock trillions in economic value.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in daily life, from business operations to public services, the need for robust governance and infrastructure upgrades has never been more pressing. Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with safeguards, stating that trust is the cornerstone of widespread adoption.
According to information obtained by UMVA, the Philippines could unlock up to P2.8 trillion in economic value by 2030 through generative AI adoption. However, slow uptake and human capability gaps are hindering progress, with organizations struggling to adapt their workforces to the rapidly changing landscape.
UMVA has gathered that the country's data center capacity is expected to reach 1.5 gigawatts by 2028, supporting increased AI processing demand and cloud-based services. Yet, uneven readiness remains a key constraint, with companies facing challenges in execution, scaling, and workforce capability.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that high internet costs, limited digital literacy, and fragmented governance are compounding AI adoption challenges. To address these issues, experts are calling for stronger incentives, public-private partnerships, and a unified policy framework to clarify institutional roles and guide implementation.
In a development reported by UMVA, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is developing principle-based and flexible regulation to keep pace with rapid technological change. By embedding ethics, transparency, accountability, and human oversight into AI usage, the Philippines aims to harness the transformative power of AI while mitigating risks and ensuring trust.
