Telecommunications giant PLDT Inc. is ramping up investments in artificial intelligence (AI) bootcamps and upskilling programs, aiming to transform its workforce into AI-ready leaders at the forefront of the intelligent connectivity era.
Menardo G. Jimenez, Jr., PLDT chief operating officer and chief technology officer, underscored the strategic importance of internal readiness: “If our people don’t embrace AI, there’s no way we can lead with it. We must believe in it ourselves before we can deliver it to our customers.”
The initiative is part of PLDT’s broader digital transformation strategy, which integrates AI with 5G to deliver cross-industry solutions beyond traditional telecom services. “It is the power of both 5G and AI that will deliver the magic,” Jimenez said. “Telcos have the unique DNA to deliver both, and that’s why we believe the future of the industry depends on how we harness these two forces together.”
By pivoting from basic connectivity to enabling enterprise-wide digital transformation, PLDT is positioning itself as a central enabler in the region’s technology ecosystem. The company has made substantial forward-looking investments in AI platforms, 5G infrastructure, and data centers—building what Jimenez called “the foundation for intelligent industries.”
“If we stopped at just providing connectivity, our revenues and relevance would eventually plateau,” he said. “We had to invest forward, and we did.”
Currently, PLDT operates the Philippines’ largest data center network and is the only local provider offering GPU services essential for enterprise-grade AI workloads. This infrastructure advantage supports growing demand from corporates and conglomerates seeking scalable, high-performance AI capabilities.
With these developments, PLDT is not only redefining its commercial offerings but also cultivating in-house AI talent—an approach that strengthens its competitive position in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
