A LinkedIn report said the number of AI-related job posts has doubled from 2021 to 2023. The report further noted that skills such as problem-solving, creativity, and communication will become increasingly critical with the broader adoption of AI technologies.
The Philippines’ Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is looking to integrate AI into the country’s educational system by training teachers and students, including those not enrolled in technology-related degree programs.
In an IT summit, CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera III emphasized the importance of having teachers who have a deep understanding of artificial intelligence, how it impacts the programs they teach, and how they can integrate it into the learning process across various disciplines.
East West International Educational Specialist President and CEO Dennis Franco Layug echoed De Vera, saying AI can be applied to various industries, including marketing, health, and architecture.
“Academics will have to embrace industry demand and start producing graduates equipped with these skills,” Layug said.
Meanwhile, Aileen Judan-Jiao, president and general manager of IBM Philippines, underscored the importance of having technological skills, particularly AI, in the current job market.
The International Data Corp. earlier reported that AI adoption in Southeast Asia jumped to 76 percent in 2023, nearly double of the 39 percent recorded in 2022. The report said experts are projecting the numbers to jump higher in the following years.
A separate LinkedIn report also showed that people skills, such as communication, flexibility, professional ethics, social perceptiveness, and self-management, are as important as AI skills in adapting to today’s employment landscape.
In a briefing, Alfredo Antonio Ayala, a member of the Private Sector Advisory Council, emphasized the need for an “accelerated level of government and industry collaboration” to upskill the workforce to adapt artificial intelligence technologies.
Silicon Valley HQ CEO Christopher Peralta expressed the private sector’s goal of implementing cutting-edge tools and technologies in the Philippines, similar to those in Silicon Valley, Singapore, or Australia.
Meanwhile, a member of the House of Representatives in the Philippines is urging the government to sponsor the overseas training of teachers to address gaps in their proficiency and learning in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Faustino Michael Carlos Dy III, who represents the province of Isabela, highlighted the importance of adapting to emerging technologies to secure a better future.
CHED recently announced plans to strengthen digital education in the country by capitalizing on the relationship between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
This announcement followed De Vera’s participation in the ASEAN-China Digital Education Forum in Guizhou, China. He said international alliance, built on mutual values and collective ambitions, should pave the way for increased collaboration in integrated digital learning.
“To truly embrace the digital future, we must cultivate an ecosystem of digital education that aligns with the visions of both ASEAN and China. Our aim is clear – digital literacy for all to ensure inclusivity in this digital age,” De Vera said.
