How will Filipinos use AI in 2026? Tech experts weigh in
Artificial intelligence isn't showing any signs of slowing down in 2026.
Some two years ago, the talk of the town was AI language models. From the one-size-fits-all answers of SimSimi in the early 2000's, users were introduced to a highly sophisticated ChatGPT in 2022, which wasn't just the typical chatbot—it also produces text and visuals with just a few written instructions called prompts.
Just last year, the craze was about image and video generation, which saw numerous portraits transformed into Disney or anime style. Deepfakes have also spread like wildfire online, and the technology has been used to spread propaganda and false information.
Now, the conversation has radically shifted to AI being more integrated into our daily lives, particularly through almost self-aware virtual assistants, independent robots, and even self-driving cars.
But how do we make sense of the ever-shifting AI landscape in 2026 and beyond? PhilSTAR Life has spoken to five technology experts and asked them for their predictions this year.
AI penetration in the Philippines
According to a 2026 report by Meltwater and We Are Social, Filipinos are among the top users of AI platform ChatGPT. The Philippines (42.4%) ranked sixth after Kenya (49.5%), Brazil (49.1%), Israel (49%), Malaysia (48.4%), and United Arab Emirates (44.7%).
"Nearly everyone already uses their own AI in some shape or form," Data Ethics PH founder Dominic Ligot said, noting that most Pinoys use generative AI.
"I think the majority of the use cases will probably be, you know, content-related," he continued, adding that most Filipinos use available commercial AI services.
"So the technology is out there. I think the question is whether people are already using it for actual in-production work and gaining productivity," Ligot said. "We have high adoption but low maturity or low readiness in terms of AI tools in the Philippines."
According to a 2024 report by JobStreet, 46% of Filipinos use generative AI for work and their personal life at least once a month. This is higher than the global average of 39%.
"Siguro lang ang isang kailangan ma-realize ng public is that we use it more than we appreciate," Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research Development (DOST-PCIEERD) Executive Director Enrico Paringit said. "There's a prospect for all of these AI tools to also support the work that we're doing."
"All of this AI adoption ultimately translates into new forms of work and income that are often digital, flexible, and globally accessible. At YGG, we see this as a major opportunity for Filipinos," Yield Guild Games' (YGG) Head of Future of Work Trish Rosal said.
She added that Filipinos should prepare and upskill for more AI models emerge. As for YGG, they are already doing the necessary training now.
On the government side, even eGov PH, the mobile app integrating most government services for public accessibility, has incorporated AI chatbots for ease of use, Department of Information and Communication Technology Sec. Henry Aguda shared with L!fe.
For digital bank Maya, AI is also embedded in major parts of its business, including risk modeling, credit decisioning, customer support and fraud monitoring.
"The impact is very real—it’s faster approvals, safer transactions, and smoother interactions for millions of users," Alfred Lo, Maya group Chief Technology Officer said.
"Looking ahead, we see AI as an opportunity to help Filipinos feel more confident about their money. Whether it’s guiding better financial habits, improving access to credit, or simplifying everyday decisions."
Inevitable AI
As AI emerges into new shapes and forms, the possibilities are endless, and its future for the year 2026 is far from bleak.
For electronics engineer and Democracy.net founder Pierre Galla, AI growth is essentially unpredictable.
"Given the variety of potential use cases of AI, it's fair to say that at this point we have not yet explored the boundaries of the possible uses of AI," he said.
For Ligot, interaction with AI might be different and more personal starting this year.
"I can see more people, in a way, developing a relationship with artificial intelligence. The same way people had a relationship with Siri and Alexa, and that's even more primitive versions of the AI we have now," Ligot said.
Meanwhile, Lo sees AI becoming a "quiet engine behind smarter and more personal financial services.
"It will help Filipinos manage money with less stress—from building savings habits to accessing fairer credit, while keeping transactions safer in real time."
Rosal said a shakeup in the workforce is inevitable with the rise of AI.
"Some roles will inevitably be disrupted, particularly in process-driven industries like IT-BPM and Global Capability Centers, which have long been a strength of the Philippine economy. But at the same time, AI is also creating entirely new categories of work," she said.
"My hope is that the Philippines becomes a location of choice for AI-enabled Global Capability Centers, where AI augments human workers instead of replacing them, and where higher-value work can thrive," she added.
According to Aguda, the Philippines can be a leading AI user in Southeast Asia as digitalization expands.
"For 2026, there will be a substantial increase in connectivity, especially in the geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. Because that's where you really feel the need for digitalization," he said.
"I think we'll become number one by the end of the ASEAN summit. And you will see AI becoming more pervasive and mainstream in our use," he added.
The Philippines is the chairman for ASEAN 2026, and this year's summit highlights the ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies like AI.
Using AI responsibly and what else needs work
Most of AI—the good, the bad, and the ugly—is still uncharted waters, as there is a lack of laws regulating AI use. The dangers have reared their head in the past year as deepfakes pornography affected celebrities and personalities, and AI fakes fueled propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation.
Recently, Aguda's DICT blocked Grok over inappropriate AI-generated images removing clothing from women and minors. It was later after the AI chatbot committed to safety fixes.
For Ligot, three E's are needed for proper AI use: Enforcement, Education, and Engineering.
"It cannot all be about enforcement, but that's where the focus is. You want to put penalties for abuse, but then you have to balance it with incentives for development," he said.
"We need to start recognizing data and AI as part of our day-to-day lives and then start policing the abuse, but also encourage the proper use."
Aguda, meanwhile, shared that the Philippines must have the right regulatory framework around social media platforms—because these companies have their own AI—to promote ethical and sustainable AI use.
"We're all for freedom of expression. Unfortunately, that has been abused [a lot] because of technology. We missed the chance of creating a harmonious regulation of social media. We need to be ahead of it when AI comes," he said.
"We have to be aware of the harm that comes with the use of technology, harm that comes through scams, harms that come through social engineering in the wrong way, the potential harm it can do for amplifying fake news."
For Rosal, education and dialogue among all sectors are necessary for ethical AI use. "These conversations are essential to ensure ethical AI frameworks are grounded not just in policy ideals, but in lived experience and real-world constraints."
"Individuals need to be proactive in learning AI. The more you understand how AI works, the more you can practice AI ethically and protect yourself from scams. When people are educated, they can engage with AI confidently rather than fearfully," she added.
Galla echoed this, saying that thinking at the grassroots level is essential for proper AI use.
"Encouraging the development of critical thinking and a healthy degree of skepticism will do well to protect us from any pitfalls in AI use."
