The Philippines has dropped in the Government AI Readiness Ranking, falling 11 places to 65th out of 193 countries in the 2023 edition of the index prepared by Oxford Insights. However, there is some positive news as the country scored 51.98 out of 100, which is significantly higher than the global average of 44.94. Xurpas CEO Joey Gurango highlighted that the index provides valuable insights for integrating AI into public services across various dimensions, including government, technology, data, and infrastructure.
Despite the small bright spot in the report, the Philippines still has a long way to go to keep up with its Asia-Pacific neighbors. In the 2023 Asia Pacific Readiness Index conducted by Salesforce, the country ranked last in overall AI readiness among the 12 countries assessed in the region, scoring 35.7 out of 100. Factors such as digital evolution, digital governance, the number of AI startups, and human capital were considered to determine the overall score.
Joey Gurango emphasized that while AI can be transformative for businesses, the implementation process comes with challenges. He suggested that digitalization at all levels should be pursued before fully deploying AI. Taking it a step further, Gurango mentioned the need to build databases and move away from spreadsheets as a crucial initial step in the process.
Businesses that have effectively utilized AI have witnessed significant gains in productivity. A report from the Nielsen Norman Group cited a study revealing that AI has the potential to improve employee performance by 66 percent. To stay competitive, businesses in the Philippines need to seriously consider integrating AI into their operations and training their workforce accordingly.
Recognizing the need for AI adoption, Xurpas AI Lab (XAIL) provides data science and consulting services, as well as a range of AI solutions, to assist businesses in leveraging the power of data and AI to solve real-world problems and gain strategic advantages. Fernando Jude Garcia, Xurpas Chief Technology Officer and General Manager of XAIL, expressed confidence in the Philippines’ potential to catch up with the rest of the region and even lead in the future if provided with proper foundational support.
In conclusion, while the Philippines has dropped in the Government AI Readiness Ranking, there is hope for improvement. By focusing on digitalization, building databases, and embracing AI in various sectors, the country can enhance its readiness for AI, gain a competitive edge, and unlock opportunities for growth.
