01 / business
Tech firms say parts shortage need not slow AI projects in the Philippines
Back End News reported that tech executives at the VSTECS CXO Tech Summit in Boracay urged businesses to keep pursuing AI even as prices for memory, storage and chips rise. HPE and Nutanix pointed to pay per use services and longer support for current equipment as ways to control costs. VSTECS said it has more than 300 engineers to help local clients set up AI tools.
“This is not going to be an easy fix.”
Daryush Ashjari, APJ Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Vice President for Solution Engineering at Nutanix
Back End News, 2 November 2026. Read the original on Back End News ↗
02 / research · business
UP Mindanao team builds AI tool that grades durian quality
Researchers at UP Mindanao built an AI system called AIDurian that checks the ripeness, defects and shape of durian, GMA News Online reported. The tool uses visual scans, sound analysis and deep learning in place of tapping and looking at the fruit. DOST says the Philippines grows at least 80,000 metric tons of durian, so faster and more consistent grading could reduce losses after harvest.
“helping improve the speed and consistency of grading durian”
Dr. Armacheska Satina, project leader
GMA News Online, 30 October 2026. Read the original on GMA News Online ↗
03 / jobs · business
PLDT and Smart say AI should help workers, not take their place
PLDT and Smart Communications said AI should support their employees instead of replacing them, Newsbytes.PH reported. Abigail Ho-Torres of Ikigai Philippines said customers should keep the option to talk to a live person. Haidee Enriquez of CXAP said workers will need deep skills in one field plus wider knowledge of technology, as AI handles more routine tasks.
“AI isn't making people irrelevant.”
Haidee Enriquez, CEO of MicroSourcing Group and president of the Customer Experience Association of the Philippines (CXAP)
Newsbytes.PH, 30 October 2026. Read the original on Newsbytes.PH ↗
04 / business · research
Most Filipino shoppers now feel better about AI help desks, report says
A Genesys report found that 64% of Filipino consumers now feel better about AI customer service than they did two years ago, TechSabado reported. That is above the APAC average of 56%. But 91% said bad service made them spend less or leave a brand, and TechSabado noted that businesses still need automated tools that actually resolve concerns.
“customer experience has a direct impact on loyalty and growth”
Kulachart Ngernpermpoon, Genesys country manager for the Philippines, Thailand and Indochina
TechSabado, 30 October 2026. Read the original on TechSabado ↗
05 / business
Oracle says it will widen cloud AI services across Southeast Asia in 2027
Oracle Corporation will expand its cloud-based AI services in Southeast Asia in 2027, according to BusinessWorld. Regional director Kou Fuh Tey said at the AI Vision Forum Manila 2026 that these services let businesses and governments use AI without building their own systems or hiring experts. He also said AI can help businesses in the Philippines grow faster and work more efficiently.
“The plan for 2027 is really about doubling down on AI”
Kou Fuh Tey, regional director for Oracle Corp.
BusinessWorld, 29 October 2026. Read the original on BusinessWorld ↗
06 / business · research
Most Philippine firms using AI are still stuck in the testing stage
TechSabado reported comments from Claire Huang, Synology Philippines Country Manager, on why local companies find it hard to grow their AI use. Huang cited a 2025 study where 92% of organizations had used AI but 65% were still at the proof-of-concept stage. She said scattered data, slow data access and limited computing power hold firms back, which matters for any business planning to move past AI trials.
TechSabado, 29 October 2026. Read the original on TechSabado ↗
07 / business · safety
Security engineer urges businesses to set clear limits on AI agents
Back End News reported that Joseph Angelo Tadaya of iboss urged businesses to set rules on which systems and websites each AI agent can reach. He warned that staff could expose employee records and health records when they ask AI tools for help. For Filipino offices adopting AI, clear limits can stop one tool's mistake from spreading to other systems.
Back End News, 28 October 2026. Read the original on Back End News ↗
08 / business · jobs · research
More Philippine firms now use AI, but most stay with simple tools
A study commissioned by AWS found AI use among Philippine businesses rose to 32% from 21%, Back End News reported. Most of these firms still use simple tools like chatbots, and only 19% said they felt fully or very prepared for next-generation AI. For Filipino workers, the study points to a skills gap, with 47% of businesses naming a lack of AI and digital skills.
“Philippine businesses are optimistic about the potential value AI can drive”
Precious Lim, country manager, Philippines, AWS
Back End News, 25 October 2026. Read the original on Back End News ↗