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The power of we

HP, DICT forge an AI-ready Philippines

Published Jul 1, 2025 05:01 pm
From top left to right: Emmy Lou V. Delfin, Director IV, Department of Information and Communications Technology – ICT Industry Development Bureau (DICT-IIDB); Jhino B. Ilano, Director III, DICT-IIDB From bottom left to right: Michelle Alarcon, President, The Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP); Christine Miles A. Miranda, Division Chief, DICT-IIDB; Idris Murat Atakli, Artificial Intelligence Consultant and Product Strategist, HP
From top left to right: Emmy Lou V. Delfin, Director IV, Department of Information and Communications Technology – ICT Industry Development Bureau (DICT-IIDB); Jhino B. Ilano, Director III, DICT-IIDB From bottom left to right: Michelle Alarcon, President, The Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP); Christine Miles A. Miranda, Division Chief, DICT-IIDB; Idris Murat Atakli, Artificial Intelligence Consultant and Product Strategist, HP
Filipino workers are steadily embracing artificial intelligence (AI), and the Philippines is making significant strides towards an AI-ready future.
At the recent Frontier Tech Trends webinar, titled Artificial Intelligence in the Workspace, HP partnered with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) alongside Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP) to present a shared vision for a digitally empowered Philippines, ensuring Filipinos don't just adapt, they excel.
Bayanihan remains one of the most enduring traits in Filipino culture. Values like selflessness, solidarity, trust and cooperation embody what a true spirit of Bayanihan; qualities that also reflect this year's National ICT Month theme.
In the age of AI, this cherished tradition evolves as Digital Bayanihan takes center stage. Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin, Director of DICT's ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB), shared, “This is as much about inclusion as it is about innovation. It’s about making sure we all grow and adapt together—wala tayong iwanan.  It is a powerful reminder that when technology blends with culture, everyone can benefit and grow together.
AI adoption shouldn't be seen as a competitive race. Instead, it should be embraced as a collective journey; one where technological advancements uplift every Filipino, not just the tech-savvy few.
HP Philippines Managing Director Ida Evina Ong-Co reaffirmed HP's commitment to ensuring that the AI revolution benefits all Filipinos. She emphasized the company's focus on delivering technology that is not only powerful and secure but also accessible so everyone can thrive.
But are Filipinos ready for AI?
Although many fear that AI could replace human workers, Idris Atakli, HP Consultant and AI Product Strategist, dispelled this myth, emphasizing how AI can streamline tasks and enhance productivity through solutions like HP's AI Companion.
According to HP's Work Relationship Index, 76% of Filipino knowledge workers believe AI will make their jobs easier, while 75% say it will make their work more interesting.
These numbers paint a positive picture, highlighting the growing optimism about AI's role in the workplace. Many see AI as a partner that can make work more engaging and efficient, reinforcing the idea that AI is here to empower and not replace people.
Meanwhile, DICT further emphasized AI's potential in transforming public services, driving business efficiency, and creating new employment opportunities.
Artificial Intelligence is most valuable when it works alongside people, stressed Michelle Alarcon, President of AAP. AI will amplify our ability to think, solve problems, collaborate, and lead. She urges, Everyone should be looking at how to leverage AI. Right now, we’re all on relatively equal footing, so it’s the perfect time to start preparing—organize your data, refine your processes—so that when you begin using AI, your systems are ready to integrate and fully benefit from it.”
Together, HP, DICT and AAP shared a unified vision. AI adoption is not just about technology. It is about empowering people. With AI, people will work smarter, better and faster. When done right, it won't just level up individual skills but the entire system as well.
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