DOLE frames AI as a strategic tool for responsible workforce growth
The Department of Labor and Employment said AI should be seen as an opportunity, not a threat, and highlighted its potential to boost productivity and wages.
During the HR&WorkTech Summit 2026 in Quezon City, Hannah Gale Perea, head of DOLE’s Monitoring and Evaluation Division, stated that artificial intelligence should be treated as a strategic opportunity rather than a danger. She referenced World Economic Forum findings that AI and big-data literacy are the fastest-growing skills, and that analytical thinking remains essential for 2025 workplaces. Perea explained that responsible AI deployment can raise productivity, improve wages, and enhance working conditions by augmenting rather than replacing human labor.
She added that the impact of AI on jobs depends on how exposure is managed, influencing either displacement or transformation. The department also highlighted that the Philippine digital economy generated a gross value added of P2.74 trillion in 2025, representing 9.8% of GDP, and employed 10.39 million people, or 21.2% of the workforce.
Why it matters
Understanding AI's role helps policymakers shape labor strategies that protect jobs while fostering economic growth.
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