78% of Filipino workers use AI, but worry about weaker thinking

July 24, 2026 | 8:00am

MANILA, Philippines — Artificial intelligence has become part of the daily work routine for many Filipino employees. The worry now is whether it is helping them think better, or making them think less.

A recent study by software-as-a-service company Sprout Solutions found that 78% of Filipino workers across 13 industries use AI in their daily work. The findings were based on interviews with 3,516 Filipino employees from May 8 to 29.

Among workers who use AI, 27% said they use it for communication and interaction, 23% for information processing, 16% for thinking and decision-making, and 12% for computer and digital tasks.

The study linked daily AI use to higher productivity and lower stress. But workers also expressed concern that relying too much on AI could weaken, rather than sharpen, their thinking skills.

"Employees want AI to enhance, not erode, their thinking abilities," the study said.

Reduced mental burden

Sprout Solutions said reduced mental burden may be one of AI's most significant effects on workers.

Frequent AI use was also consistently linked to more recognition, less overtime and lower stress at work, according to the study.

"Higher AI-driven output is also associated with feeling more recognized at work, suggesting both performance and employee experience benefit," the study said.

The study also said workers' use of AI for decision-making suggests that the technology is becoming more than an assistant. For some employees, it has become a tool for mental offloading.

"Employees who prefer to use AI when making decisions at work report lower levels of stress because of their AI use. This suggests that AI may be doing more than speeding up decisions; rather, it may be reducing the cognitive pressure employees feel when making them," the study said.

Job stability

Sprout Solutions also said workers still feel secure in their jobs despite wider AI adoption.

A February report by the International Labour Organization found that around 12.7 million workers in the Philippines are exposed to generative AI, the highest among ASEAN countries.

The report noted, however, that 3.6% of jobs in the country are highly exposed to generative AI and are at risk of displacement.

"Rather than outright automation, the most significant impact of GenAI on the Philippine labour market is likely to be the transformation of jobs, potential gains in productivity and enhanced employment quality," the ILO research brief said.