HP and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are aligning efforts to build an AI-ready Philippines, focusing on technological innovation to support long-term national development.
The collaboration was a key focus at the recent Frontier Tech Trends Webinar, “Artificial Intelligence in the Workspace,” organized by DICT in celebration of National ICT Month.
This initiative comes as a growing number of Filipino workers are leaning in and harnessing artificial intelligence. The outlook mirrors findings of HP’s Work Relationship Index, which highlights that in growing economies like the Philippines, 76% of knowledge workers think AI will make their job ‘easier’ and 75% ‘more interesting’.
“That’s where our theme for this year’s National ICT Month comes in: Digital Bayanihan,” shared Emmy Lou Versoza-Delfin, Director of DICT’s ICT Industry Development Bureau (IIDB). “This is as much about inclusion as it is about innovation. It’s about making sure we all grow and adapt together—wala tayong iwanan. The spirit of bayanihan lives on in the digital age. It means helping each other understand, adapt, and thrive. It means creating tools, policies, and platforms that make life easier, not just for a few, but for all Filipino people.”
As a global technology leader, HP reaffirmed its commitment to digital equity. “HP is dedicated to ensuring the AI revolution benefits all Filipinos,” said Ida Evina Ong-Co, managing director of HP Philippines. “We’re delivering technology that is not just powerful, but also secure, accessible, and ready to help every worker and student thrive in a new era of work, and build a more prosperous and equitable nation.”
A Shared Vision for a Digitally Empowered Philippines
The webinar offered a practical introduction to artificial intelligence, with Idris Atakli, HP consultant and AI product strategist, explaining how the technology helps teams work smarter by boosting productivity and simplifying tasks. This is supported by solutions like HP’s AI Companion, a secure in-device tool designed to enhance productivity while protecting user data.
DICT complemented this outlook by highlighting how automation and digital tools are transforming industries and fueling economic growth. The department emphasized AI’s potential to improve public services, drive business efficiency, and create new employment opportunities.
Contrary to fears that AI might replace human workers, the reality on the ground tells a different story; one grounded in improving the process, and not in displacement. This shift is a simple but powerful truth: AI is not here to take over jobs, rather, it is here to enhance them. As businesses integrate AI into daily operations, it becomes clearer that the technology is most valuable when it works alongside people, not in place of them. For when it is used responsibly, AI brings out the best in human potential as it amplifies their ability to think, solve, collaborate, and lead.
The Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP) also shared how AI is used to help businesses innovate and drive economic growth. They emphasized that AI adoption can lead to increased productivity gains with fewer resources, foster innovation, create new revenue streams, forecast market trends, and shift to higher-value work.
“Everyone should be looking at how to leverage AI. Right now, we’re all on relatively equal footing, so it’s the perfect time to start preparing—organize your data, refine your processes—so that when you begin using AI, your systems are ready to integrate and fully benefit from it,” said Michelle Alarcon, President of The Analytics and Artificial Intelligence Association of the Philippines (AAP).
HP’s participation in Frontier Tech Trends, alongside DICT and AAP, reflects a shared vision for a digitally empowered nation. By championing inclusive innovation and digital upskilling, these efforts collectively support the development of a workforce that is not only prepared for the demands of the future but also empowered to thrive and lead in it.