Philippine chief executives are emerging as some of the world’s most confident adopters of artificial intelligence, according to a new IBM Philippines study, as businesses accelerate the shift toward AI-driven decision-making and operations.
The IBM Institute for Business Value survey found that 80 percent of Philippine CEOs are comfortable making major strategic decisions based on AI-generated insights—well above the 64 percent global average.
In addition, 73 percent of local executives believe AI can handle tactical and operational decisions faster and more effectively than humans, compared with 57 percent worldwide.
IBM noted that the findings reflect a growing trend among Philippine companies to embed AI into core operations rather than treating it as a standalone tool.
“Local firms are showing strong willingness to embrace AI, even if long-term strategies for competitive advantage are still evolving,” said Leo Capinpin, IBM Philippines’ country general manager and technology leader.
The study also highlighted mounting pressure on leadership teams. Nearly all respondents—97 percent—said that functional leaders must become technology experts within their domains.
Governance and accountability are taking center stage as AI adoption expands. By 2030, Philippine CEOs expect AI to autonomously handle nearly half of operational decisions with codified rules and guardrails.
Workforce development remains a priority, with 90 percent of executives emphasizing that successful AI adoption depends more on employee acceptance and skills than the technology itself.
