4 weeks ago
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Filipino workers need not worry about artificial intelligence (AI) immediately taking over their jobs as the World Bank reported that developing countries, including the Philippines, have lower exposure to AI disruptions.
"For developing countries, and in particularly low-income countries, the labor market impacts of artificial intelligence will be more limited than in high-income countries," said Gabriel Demombynes, Jörg Langbein, and Michael Weber, authors of the study on workers' exposure to AI across different countries.
This relatively lower exposure is "partly due to a different labor market structure in developing countries, with more jobs involving manual labor or interpersonal interaction." Such jobs are less susceptible to significant changes brought about by AI.
"We also show that lack of access to electricity and internet further limits exposure, particularly in low-income countries," the authors stressed in a supplementary blog published on February 18.
Consistent access to electricity and affordable internet are fundamental for AI use, the study noted. Because these are "not universally available in some developing countries," workers in these countries—who make up 80 percent of the global workforce—could be less affected by AI.
The authors clarified that while AI could automate or take over certain tasks, exposure to it "does not necessarily mean that a task—or an entire job—will be replaced."
Beyond automation, which reduces the need for human labor, the authors argued that AI could enhance "human productivity, allowing workers to perform tasks more efficiently." They call this "augmentation."
They also cited job restructuring—a scenario in which AI could reshape "the mix of tasks within an occupation, potentially leading to new job descriptions building on different skills."
While uncertainties exist, the authors forecast that "AI's impact on jobs will be more muted and slower to materialize in many developing countries—especially in regions where consistent access to electricity or internet remains limited."
To prepare for AI's future in the Philippines and other developing countries, the authors encourage governments to expand access to the internet and reliable electricity, focus on AI augmentation over automation, and capitalize on AI for social services such as healthcare and education.
Focusing on AI augmentation over automation could boost productivity, protect jobs, and address shortages in the social services sector.
According to the World Bank, AI's impact in the country could be felt gradually, as it is in other developing countries. This slower pace offers "a unique window of opportunity for governments and businesses to shape AI's role in the workforce."
