FILIPINO workers should adapt to the booming AI industry as they need to reskill and upskill themselves in order to address the it’s impact on the labor force.

According to Concepcion, who is also the leader for the jobs for the Private Sector Advisory Council, there is a huge impact in AI as it is one of the issues they are focusing on.

“There are also threats to these sectors – BPO, call center. And we have to prepare for the eventual, you know, AI entry – it’s already coming and that we have to provide the necessary people with either reskilling them in new areas of opportunity or upskilling them,” he continued.

According to Concepcion there is a need to "fortify" MSMEs to withstand other issues, such as the entry of stiffer competition from foreign investors.

“May mga bagong negosyo diyan katulad nitong convenience store, DALI, isang convenience store talagang binabagsak nila ang presyo and that is also going to hurt some of our sari-sari stores because their entry is creating greater competition. So, these are what we have to prepare, we have to strengthen our micro and small entrepreneurs to upskill themselves,” he said.

Likewise, Concepcion also said that micro-entrepreneurs must have access to the market through digital platforms.

“So, it’s very important that we have to have strength in the skill level of our employees – that’s one; and we have to strengthen their own micro and small businesses – financing is one, mentorship is one and access to market. Iyong access to market alam naman natin dito iyong digital platforms malaking bagay iyan, they are providing that access ‘no; e-wallets, malaking bagay rin iyan, iyong GCash, iyong PayMaya at iba pa, marami ngayong mga e-wallets,” he said.