Reskilling and upskilling the workforce with artificial intelligence-driven technology will improve production, enhance business models, and support the nation's economic growth.
Speaking at the 45th National Conference of Employers at The Manila Hotel, Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. called in its members to adopt AI as he highlighted the benefits and challenges of new technologies.
"Employers should now be embracing digital transformation and preparing the workplace for the future," Ortiz-Luis said.
"Digital literacy, access to tools and resources necessary for automation, and resilience are key in building the capacity of an enterprise to generate employment that matches the demands of the new world of work," he added.
Ortiz-Luis said AI's integration into various sectors and industries transforms business models and production processes and redefines the skills required across the workforce.
He said human workers will need to collaborate with machines to deliver value-added services, which will also require a shift in the country's training and education programs.
"We must ensure that no one is left behind as we embrace the changes in the future of work," he added.
On the sidelines of the event, Ortiz-Luis told reporters that AI is one of the most pressing issues of employers, along with the deteriorating quality of education in the country, pushing for legislated wages and pending bills for additional paid holidays.
ECOP chair Edgardo Lacson said the public and private sectors should work together to address these challenges among employers and their workforce.
Lacson added that the government and businesses should focus on improving the quality of education to meet industries' current and future needs, promoting innovation, and avoiding "business-unfriendly laws."
In his keynote speech, Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin said setting the right environment to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) will address the low productivity of workers in the Philippines relative to the productivity level of neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
He added that FDIs will bring in new technologies for local industries.