Philippines’ AI reckoning puts 12.7 million jobs on the line

South China Morning Post
by Sam Beltran
February 14, 2026
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Philippines’ AI reckoning puts 12.7 million jobs on the line
The Philippines’ outsourcing sector, valued at US$30 billion, is facing a critical turning point as artificial intelligence threatens to disrupt its workforce. With 12.7 million jobs at risk, employees are grappling with the choice to upskill or be left behind. Renso Bajala, a customer relations representative in Makati City, found himself caught off guard when AI was introduced to evaluate his performance. The system analyzed his tone, delivery, and keyword usage, scoring interactions based on sentiment and customer experience. Despite initial acceptance, he grew frustrated with the AI’s lack of context and rigid scoring, feeling
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/14/2026