APART from big businesses, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) may also benefit from generative artificial intelligence (AI), according to IBM Philippines.
Generative AI involves the creation of images, music, speech, code, video, or text through the interpretation and manipulation of pre-existing data.
The emerging technology may help boost the productivity of business entities through various models, including knowledge assistants, customer service applications, and interpreting large volumes of data.
“One effort that we’re focusing on is addressing the need that, in order for companies to get started with AI, they would need a lot of capital or expenditure. We want to calibrate the solution according to their business needs and according to their affordability,” Jong Torres, IBM Philippines Technical Sales Lead said when asked how MSMEs can adapt to generative AI.
He continued, “We don’t want them to be overwhelmed with the costs. In fact, we want to put that not as a priority. The priority would be for us to understand how AI can help them in their business.”
Data from the Department of Trade and Industry showed that 99.59%, or 1,105,143, of the 1,109,684 business enterprises operating in the Philippines in 2022 are MSMEs.
Around 0.41% are large enterprises.
“We are interested in tapping into the MSMEs, because what we call them is the underserved sector. They should not lag in terms of technology only because of the difference in affordability,” Torres said.
While all industries are seen to benefit from generative AI, among the sectors that may tap the technology are telecommunications, manufacturing, financial services, and even government agencies, said Torres.
In November, Trade Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Group Rafaelita Aldaba said the emergence of AI could unlock billions of dollars worth of productive capacity in the Philippines.
Citing a study from London-based public policy consultancy Access Partnership, Aldaba said that generative AI “can unlock $79.3 billion in productive capacity in the Philippines.”
Meanwhile, Kalyan Madala, Chief Technology Officer of IBM Technology Business Unit, IBM ASEANZK, allayed fears that generative AI may soon replace humans at work, calling it a “false dichotomy.”
“I think there’s a false dichotomy that’s playing out in the market. It’s not A versus B. Generative technology exists to make our workforce more productive,” said Madala.
He added: “So either we figure out a safe way to gain productivity, or we don’t gain productivity. It’s not an either-or question of person versus AI.”
Madala also said the technology may lead to the creation of new employment opportunities, including jobs related to AI. (GMA Integrated News)
