A 2023 study conducted by The Economist Impact reveals that possessing proficiency in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become an essential digital competency for Filipino workers. However, the major obstacle for those aspiring to self-educate in this field is the inadequate internet infrastructure in the country.
The study indicates that 42% of Filipino workers are keen to gain fresh digital skills pertaining to AI, Machine Learning (ML), and related areas. This rate surpasses that of their counterparts in the Asia-Pacific region, which stands at 33%.
Nonetheless, even with the high demand for upskilling opportunities, roughly 41% of Filipinos cited that poor internet access is a significant barrier to enrolling in online courses, while nearly 40% indicated a lack of available time as the primary reason for not being able to invest in acquiring new skills. Meanwhile, 30% of respondents consider course fees as a barrier, while another 30% noted the absence of training opportunities in their workplaces as a challenge. This suggests that there exists a notable gap in the proficiency of Filipino workers who recognize the significance of digital skills but lack them.
In response to this, the country’s Department of Information and Communication Technology recently ed the 8th leg of the Convergence of Luzon ICT Champions Conference and Exhibitions (CLICkCONEx), which aims to boost and sustain the growth of the Information Technology and Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry in Luzon. On the part of the Department of Education, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has urged education policymakers and experts to address the challenges and “uncertainties” in the use of AI and other emerging technologies in digital education.
(Sources: Philippine Information Agency; Philstar.com)
