QUEZON CITY — The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) expressed an optimistic outlook on artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing that it should be managed responsibly as an avenue for growth rather than viewed as a danger to the workforce.
Speaking at the HR&WorkTech Summit 2026 in Quezon City on Thursday, DOLE Monitoring and Evaluation Division chief Hannah Gale Perea shared the agency’s official stance on emerging technologies.
“We in the Department of Labor and Employment view AI not as a threat to be feared but as a strategic opportunity to be harnessed responsibly,” Perea stated.
Citing data from the World Economic Forum (WEF), Perea noted that literacy in AI and big data stands as the fastest-growing skill projected through 2030, while analytical thinking ranked as the top workplace skill required in 2025.
Perea explained that integrating advanced tech allows local industries to transition toward advanced services, elevating their position on the global value chain through roles like complex analytics, AI system oversight, and high-tier technical support.
According to DOLE, how workplaces handle AI exposure will determine whether it leads to worker displacement or structural employment transformation.
“By augmenting human capability rather than simply replacing it, AI can increase overall productivity, elevate wage potential, and improve working conditions,” Perea added.
The agency’s perspective comes on the heels of robust growth within the domestic digital sector.
Data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) in April showed that the country’s digital economy reached a Gross Value Added (GVA) of ₱2.74 trillion in 2025, contributing 9.8% to the national gross domestic product.
Furthermore, the sector provided jobs to 10.39 million individuals last year, making up 21.2% of the total national workforce.