Government embeds AI capability to improve public services

AI capability seen key to public value and competitiveness.

The Philippines must accelerate digitalisation by embedding data and AI capabilities across government and the workforce to future-proof governance and sustain competitiveness, according to Lee Carlo B. Abadia, Principal, Technology Consulting at SGV & Co.

Speaking on the sidelines of GovMedia Summit 2026, Abadia said future-proof governance depends on integrating data-driven capabilities into public sector operations. “Future proofing of government really entails constant push in digitalization,” he said, adding that the focus is shifting towards building skills in data and artificial intelligence.

He said agencies must go beyond adopting technology and ensure talent is equipped to use it effectively. “We need to be able to embed those kinds of skills and roles as part of the digitalization framework,” Abadia said. This includes training personnel across national and local government units in data analytics, machine learning and AI to generate actionable insights.

Public value, he said, will increasingly depend on how well the country leverages its strengths in the services sector. “Public value is still related to data and AI,” Abadia said, noting that industries such as business process outsourcing face both risks and opportunities from automation.

To remain competitive, he said the Philippines must upskill its workforce to integrate AI into existing service roles. “We need to upskill them on data so that even if they're doing customer service… they'll be able to leverage technologies that use data and AI to make their work faster,” he said.

Abadia also highlighted the need to prepare workers for structural shifts, including potential job displacement and returning overseas workers. Expanding training programmes into data-related fields could help diversify employment opportunities.

Education reforms will be critical to sustaining this transition. “They're all starting to introduce data science programs, artificial intelligence courses,” he said, referring to universities. However, he stressed that capability-building must start earlier. “Even in the primary and secondary education should be taught on AI as a basic education,” he added.

With a strong base of technology talent, Abadia said the Philippines is well positioned to scale its capabilities. “We just need to be able to really increase awareness that this is the kind of skills that the Philippines should continue to build.”