PH companies still not trusting of AI, says Aboitiz exec

MANILA, Philippines — It may take a longer time before Philippine companies give their complete trust to artificial intelligence (AI) in making crucial business decisions, according to an official of Aboitiz Data Innovation (ADI).

David Hardoon, CEO of the Aboitiz-led company, said local companies were still worried over the risks of AI, especially since they have yet to fully understand how the technology would optimize their operations.

“It takes a bit of time to get that trust,” he said in a press briefing in Taguig on Thursday.

In order to mitigate risk and increase trust, Hardoon suggested that companies apply AI in certain aspects of their business and evaluate how the technology would make improvements.

The use of AI has been on the rise since chatbot ChatGPT became popular. It has several use cases that can enhance a company’s operations, including processing of real-time data that can aid in making quick and informed business decisions.

Conducting a review after the technology deployment would allow companies to adjust—and even scale up—the use of AI moving forward, the ADI official said.

READ: AI governance: The way forward in the PH

He added this would enable companies to fully harness the benefits of AI, obtain predictable results, and increase trust.

Despite the reluctance, Hardoon said local companies were generally keen on applying AI in their operations.

In a separate study, global advisory firm Deloitte noted that 62 percent of surveyed Filipino business and technology leaders expressed “excitement” over the use of AI.

However, some of the respondents identified a lack of technical talent and skills as the “biggest barrier” to the adoption of generative AI.

Public policy consultancy firm Access Partnership raised the need for upskilling and reskilling the Filipino workforce to strengthen their digital capabilities.

A study by Access Partnership and Google noted that Philippine companies using AI tools in their daily operations would generate P2.8 trillion worth of revenues and cost savings in 2030. —TYRONE JASPER C. PIAD