The Employers Confederation of the Philippines (ECOP) urged its members to keep up with artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technology and continue to reskill and upskill their workforce to support the country’s economic growth.

During the 45th National Conference of Employers at The Manila Hotel Tuesday, ECOP president Sergio Ortiz-Luis Jr. highlighted the benefits and challenges posed by new technologies like AI.

“Employers should now be embracing digital transformation and preparing the workplace for the future,” Ortiz-Luis said.

“Digital literacy, access to tools and resources necessary for automation, and resilience are key in building the capacity of an enterprise to generate employment that matches the demands of the new world of work,” he added.

Ortiz-Luis said AI’s integration into various sectors and industries not only transforms business models and production processes but it also redefines the skills required across the workforce.

He said human workers will need to work together with machines to deliver value-added services, which also demands a shift in training and education programs in the country.

“We must ensure that no one is left behind as we embrace the changes in the future of work,” he added.

On the sidelines of the event, Ortiz-Luis told reporters that AI is one of the most pressing issues of employers, along with the deteriorating quality of education in the country, pushing for legislated wages, and pending bills for additional paid holidays.

ECOP chair Edgardo Lacson said the public and private sectors should work together to address these challenges among employers and their workforce.

Lacson added that the government and businesses should focus on improving the quality of education that will meet the current and future needs of industries, promoting innovation, and staying away from “business-unfriendly laws.”

In his keynote speech, Danish Ambassador to the Philippines Franz-Michael Skjold Mellbin said setting the right environment to attract foreign direct investments (FDIs) will address the low productivity of workers in the Philippines relative to the productivity level of neighboring Southeast Asian countries.

He added FDIs will bring in new technologies for local industries. (PNA)