PASIG CITY – The Institute for Labor Studies (ILS) underscored the importance of workforce readiness and skills development in maximizing the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) during a regional roundtable organized by the United States (US)–Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Business Advisory Council on 14 April 2026 at the Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas, Manila.

The roundtable convened key stakeholders from government and the private sector to identify actionable, high-impact, and regionally scalable AI initiatives in support of the Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026. Priority areas for collaboration included human capital development, critical infrastructure, data corridors, and public-sector AI governance. ILS Executive Director III Jeanette T. Damo, together with Senior Labor and Employment Officer Ms. Chelsea Nicole P. Pineda, represented the Institute in the said engagement.

ILS Executive Director Damo presented key findings from the ILS study titled “Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Labor Market.” She emphasized that skills gaps and workforce readiness will significantly influence the extent to which economies can harness the benefits of AI. She also highlighted ongoing government efforts to strengthen workforce capabilities through targeted skilling and upskilling programs in emerging technologies.

Executive Director Damo also expressed the Institute’s support for initiatives that promote regional cooperation in talent development and the harmonization of qualifications and standards for AI and AI-related skills, recognizing these as critical enablers for an inclusive and future-ready labor market in the ASEAN region.

The Philippines’ ASEAN Chairship in 2026, themed “Navigating Our Future, Together,” will feature a series of ministerial meetings and two high-level summits to advance regional collaboration.

The ILS study “Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Labor Market” can be accessed through the ILS website: https://ils.dole.gov.ph/2024-research-briefs/impact-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-on-the-labor-market.

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