MANILA, Philippines — More Filipinos are increasingly turning to generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance efficiency, streamline communication and boost productivity across a wide range of professional sectors, according to a study conducted by US-based cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks.
According to the report, AI-powered writing assistant Grammarly emerged as the most widely used generative AI tool in the Philippines, with 46.2 percent of Filipino users relying on the application.
Microsoft’s applications such as PowerApps and Microsoft 365 Copilot followed closely, accounting for 33.3 percent and 13.9 percent of usage, respectively.
PowerApps enables users to build custom apps with little or no coding, streamlining internal workflows and boosting operational efficiency, while Copilot integrates AI capabilities into Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel and Outlook to assist users in automating repetitive tasks.
Despite the benefits of writing assistants in enhancing communication and productivity, the report said that they carry risks such as data leakage, privacy breaches and security vulnerabilities if used without proper safeguards.
Tom Scully, Palo Alto Networks director and principal architect for government and critical industries, said the rapid adoption of generative AI tools has heightened the risk of data leakage, especially in environments where security measures have not kept pace with technological advancements.
“Organizations must balance innovation with strong governance, adopting security architectures that account for AI’s unique risks. Proactive oversight and adaptive security controls are essential to ensuring that the benefits of AI are fully realized without compromising national security,” he said.
The findings come as global generative AI usage skyrockets, with the report highlighting a dramatic 890-percent increase in AI-related traffic worldwide throughout 2024, signaling rapid adoption across enterprise environments.
Globally, generative AI is most used as a writing assistant at 34 percent, followed by use as a conversational agent at 28.9 percent, enterprise research at 10.6 percent and developer platform at 10.3 percent.
The report noted that the vast majority of generative AI transactions are driven by high employee demand for tools that enhance productivity, streamline tasks and support day-to-day work activities in various functions.