GenAI prompts IBPAP to refresh industry roadmap

CEBU, Philippines — The surprising integration of Generative AI (artificial intelligence) to industries, particularly the outsourcing sector, has pushed the IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) to refresh its industry roadmap introducing an ambitious version for 2028.

To be rendered in collaboration with research powerhouse Everest Group, IBPAP president and chief executive officer (CEO) Jack Madrid said the AI landscape is a battleground, demanding a strategic update to align goals with the ever-evolving realities of the Philippine IT-BPM sector.

“As the Philippine IT-BPM industry rides the GenAI wave, the nation is uniquely positioned to seize opportunities. With support from the government, industry visionaries, and academia, IBPAP ensures the industry and workforce are not just prepared for the future – they are shaping it,” declared Madrid.

He acknowledged that with GenAI’s disruption, “the road ahead is no joyride, but the promise of a thriving IT-BPM sector in the Philippines, navigating the GenAI wave, isn’t just exciting—it’s a journey filled with potential.”

With a determined focus on upskilling and re-skilling, IBPAP charges forward to achieve ambitious targets for job creation and revenue by 2025. The country’s IT-BPM industry is undergoing a radical shift fueled by GenAI.

According to IBPAP, in the era of digitalization, the professional landscape is not just evolving; it is celebrating the Filipino workforce! White-collar roles are gearing up for an exciting era of innovation, while blue-collar heroes are adapting to support machine-led tasks.

Today, companies, not just in the outsourcing industry, have started to integrate augmented workforce, where AI collaborates with skilled professionals, boosting productivity and business value.

In the Philippine IT-BPM sector, GenAI is not just a supporting act; it is the headline, enhancing employee experiences and elevating service quality to new heights. GenAI is not merely adjusting settings, it is pushing boundaries in the Philippine context.

From low- to mid-complexity services in 2016, there has been a swift transition to mid- to high-complexity services by 2023. Analytics, cloud services, platform products, and advanced technologies are not just buzzwords; they are reshaping our talent profile and propelling growth in the Philippine IT-BPM industry. It’s not just about technical skills anymore; it’s a full-scale revolution. Delving into AI applications, mastering data handling, and sharpening emotional intelligence and creativity skills are becoming the norm.

Madrid emphasized that IBPAP recognizes the urgency and has spearheaded an upskilling uprising: executive training, technical courses, and practical GenAI applications.

IBPAP is not merely following rules, it is rewriting the script and partnering with educational trailblazers and talent development innovators.

Tie-ups with the Commission on Higher Education, StackTrek, Lumify Work PH, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Board of Investments (BOI) are not just partnerships, “they are dynamic collaborations revolutionizing education and training programs. These ensure our workforce is not just prepared but armed to excel in industry demands. Executive training, technical skill development, and certifications—this is the toolkit for a future-ready Philippine workforce.”