A displacement of Filipino workers is looming amid the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and the government is preparing for its effects on the labor sector, Labor Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma said Sunday.
While the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) could not prevent or ban such technological developments, Laguesma said the government is ready to assist the Pinoy workforce amid the changes.
“Every change in the field of work could result in dislocation of workers, but what is important is we prepare for it,” he said over radio dzBB.
“What’s important is that we prepare and see what kind of guidance or assistance we could give to our workers, as well as what the investors should do so there will be no heavy displacement or dislocation among the workers.”
Laguesma said DOLE is asking employers and companies if they will introduce AI to their respective work processes, and explain its possible effects on the labor force.
He said the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) is set to establish innovation centers that will offer skills training for workers to keep up with new technologies such as AI, without forgetting the traditional ones.
“From every loss, there are gains. It also has an advantage for us to keep up with the events around the world because we have to be competitive. However, it is really important to pay attention to the condition and welfare of the workers,” Laguesma said.
Dr. Mohanbir Sawhney, McCormick Foundation associate dean for digital innovation and professor of technology, earlier said the Philippines should start upskilling its workforce to be able to compete with the advent of AI, as the services sector continues to drive the country’s economy.