Is AI taking over my job? 5 Ways GenAI is Affecting Jobs in the Philippine IT-BPM Industry

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Amidst the hustle of the Philippine economic landscape, the Information Technology Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry is undergoing a radical shift fueled by Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI). A dynamic journey of challenges and opportunities is redefining the industry's future. Led by the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), immerse in a fast-paced world where the IT-BPM sector challenges norms and finds the delicate balance between innovation and tradition in the middle of the AI revolution.

Photo Credit: KMC Jollibee Tower

1. GenAI: Job Augmentation in PH landscape

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. Meet the 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.

2. Job Roles Redesigned: More Thrills, Less Routine

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 propeling growth in the Philippine IT-BPM industry.

3. Upskilling Revolution: Get Ready for the Shift

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. IBPAP recognizes the urgency and has spearheaded an upskilling uprising: executive training, technical courses, and practical GenAI applications. Get ready for a transformative journey!

4. IBPAP’s Strategic Alliances: Empowering the IT-BPM Vanguard

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 DTI-Board of Investments 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.

5. GenAI Advancement: Crafting Roadmap 2028 for the Future

IBPAP, in collaboration with research powerhouse Everest Group, is refreshing the industry roadmap and introducing an ambitious version for 2028. The AI landscape is a battleground, demanding a strategic update to align goals with the ever-evolving realities of the Philippine IT-BPM sector. With a determined focus on upskilling and re-skilling, IBPAP charges forward to achieve ambitious targets for job creation and revenue by 2025.

"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 IBPAP President and CEO, Jack Madrid.

He added, "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. Join us in this adventure, where innovation and tradition coexist harmoniously in the realm of GenAI," Madrid proclaimed.

TechLife Philippines introduces Mikee Reyes and CK De Leon as brand ambassadors

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Together with the TechLife Fam, the power couple is on a mission to #MakeLifeSimple

TechLife Philippines officially welcomed media personalities and real-life power couple, Mikee Reyes and CK De Leon, as its first-ever brand ambassadors. The partnership marks an exciting milestone for both parties as it is the first brand-and-ambassador collaboration between the couple and the tech brand.

Young, hard-working, and engaging, Reyes and De Leon are a fitting representation of TechLife’s core principle, which is to Make Life Simple for every young Filipino by providing easy-to-use and reliable tech that enriches user experience.

The new ambassadors, fondly called “Tito” and “Sizzy” by their supporters online, are popular digital creators known for their relatable content about lifestyle, career, and relationships. The duo has amassed a combined 1.8 million followers across major social media platforms.

“TechLife resonated with us because as individuals and as a couple, we value hard work and being efficient without losing sight of what makes us unique. We learned that TechLife integrates their principles in their products and they give the best value for money. We’re glad to join the TechLife Fam in the mission to make life simple,” the couple said.

The TechLife Fam can expect exciting projects and campaigns with Reyes and De Leon in the future in order to promote the brand and its products - such as audio devices, smartphone accessories, home appliances, and other tech essentials.

“We’re excited to start this new chapter and we’re glad to have Mikee and CK with us. It’s the first time for TechLife to have ambassadors so we’re looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together,” TechLife stated.

To learn more about TechLife, check out any of the offline TechLife stores nationwide and make sure to be updated with announcements and new releases by visiting their official Facebook and TikTok page.

HONOR Magic V2, the World’s Thinnest Foldable Phone official in PH for only Php 79,999!

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Global technology brand HONOR officially launched the world’s thinnest foldable phone HONOR Magic V2 for only Php 79,999 with exciting pre-order freebies HONOR Watch GS 3 and Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 HIFI Speaker worth Php 28,000 in total! HONOR Magic V2 is now available for pre-order on HONOR Experience and Partner Stores or online via Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop!

“The HONOR Magic V2 redefines the benchmark for foldable smartphones while prioritizing the essentials of a top-tier slate phone. The ultra-slim device is crafted to offer unparalleled functionality and a sleek, sophisticated design that is unrivaled in the market,” said HONOR Philippines Vice President Stephen Cheng.

 

HONOR Super-light Titanium Hinge: A Groundbreaking First in the Industry Materials

 

For the first time, HONOR has utilized titanium alloy in the hinge cover, an aerospace-grade material and a pioneering innovation in the hinge design of foldable smartphone industry. Titanium possesses the ideal balance between weight and strength, being lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel. It is a material that embodies the trifecta of ultra-lightness, ultra-toughness, and ultra-corrosion-resistance, making it the perfect alloy for a plethora of applications.

 

After numerous verifications and tests conducted by the HONOR research and development team, it has been proven that when it comes to the hinge shaft cover part, the titanium alloy is a superior alternative to other conventional materials. Compared to the aluminum alloy shaft covers, the titanium alloy exhibits an impressive 150% higher strength, making it a much more desirable option material for a lightweight foldable smartphone.

 

Meanwhile, the titanium alloy intrinsically has a higher melting point of 1650°C, compared to only 650°C in more conventional foldable hinge materials such as aluminum alloys, which also illustrates HONOR’s all-new improved hinge is unparalleled strength.

 

In addition, HONOR‘s proprietary steel, a cutting-edge material inspired by steel used in tunnel boring applications, has been expertly created for use in the hinge's main body of the HONOR Magic V2. This innovative material offers a perfect balance between thinness and durability, resulting in a slim and robust design that sets a new standard for excellence. This cutting-edge material is 25% thinner and 20% stronger compared to its counterpart in HONOR Magic Vs. What’s more, HONOR’s proprietary steel makes up for 67% of the hinge. Considering that it forms most of the hinge mechanism, the proprietary material complements the titanium alloy to ensure that the HONOR Magic V2 is endowed with the robustness to withstand the wear and tear of everyday use.

 

Advanced structure

The redesigned support structure of the hinge is significantly improved over its predecessor, with thickness reduced by an impressive 75% and the depth of fold marks on the inner screen reduced by 47%. Furthermore, unique to the HONOR Magic V2’s hinge, an advanced "brake caliper" damping structure comprised of seven set of cams - three set more than that of HONOR’s previous foldables – that provides a more stable and elegant experience with smooth opening and closing. Thanks to the addition of this component, the hinge enables an exceptional free hovering experience with different angles, enhancing user experiences with features like hover photography, hover movie viewing, and hover conferencing, among other practical applications.

 

Another latest breakthrough is HONOR’s self-developed micro lock, a connective component built with HONOR’s proprietary steel.  This minuscule component boasts a size equivalent to that of a mere grain of rice and is 20 to 100 times smaller than its counterparts used in the previous HONOR foldable smartphone. This precision-manufactured, lightweight and robust component is perfectly suited to preventing screen misalignment and creases, ensuring optimal performance.

 

In HONOR’s pursuit for absolute thinness, even inconspicuous components such as screws are innovated upon. Inside the Titanium Alloy Hinge, custom short screws are used to minimize the height of the hinge structure, and they do so without compromising the robustness of the mechanism.

 

HONOR's proprietary micro lock, applied to the hinge components' connections, represents a breakthrough in craftsmanship. The fusion of ultra-precise manufacturing techniques and robust materials effectively mitigates fold marks resulting from screen misalignments. Additionally, the custom high-precision nuts - the industry's most accurate and compact nuts (0.75 x φ2.9mm) - offer a one-of-a-kind fastening solution for securing hinge components. This innovative fastening structure outperforms conventional nuts, optimizing space utilization within the device.

 

Manufacturing

The mortise and tenon integral molding technology allows successful integration of the hinge shaft cover and hinge body, which significantly reduces the internal space and overall thickness of the hinge. HONOR’s innovative approach and its dedication in introducing increasingly "slender" foldable smartphones presents a comprehensive solution to the long-standing issue of thickness in folding displays screens.

 

Thanks to these breakthrough innovations, the HONOR Magic V2 can withstand more than 400,000 folds. Its exceptional properties pave the way for worry-free usage, even if the device is folded 100 times a day, ensuring a lifespan of up to ten years.

 

New Architecture for More Space and Power

The traditional "three-layer stacked" screen driver architecture has long been a major obstacle for the putting large batteries in thin and light folding screen mobile phones. By incorporating a groundbreaking "three-in-one" display driver component, HONOR took advantage of the additional internal space and fitted a 5000mAh Silicon-carbon Battery within the HONOR Magic V2. Embedding a 5000mAh battery into such a slim and lightweight body is a testament to HONOR's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of technological innovation and engineering excellence, choosing the correct albeit challenging path to success.

 

HONOR Ultra-thin Bionic VC Cooling System

Smartphones, particularly those with powerful processors and advanced features, require effective cooling systems to prevent overheating, maintain optimal performance, and ensure long-term durability. The HONOR Ultra-thin Bionic VC Cooling System addresses these needs by employing a multi-layer approach, the cooling system incorporates advanced materials such as ultra-thin vapor chamber (VC), ultra-high thermal conductivity graphite, thermal conductivity gel, copper foil, and high thermal conductivity AL middle frame. Despite the constraints of ultra-thin device thickness, this innovative HONOR Ultra-thin Bionic VC cooling system maximizes every inch to deliver exceptional efficiency in cooling.

 

The bionic VC is designed to replicate the natural thickness of cicada wings, measuring an incredible 0.22mm, and the whole cooling system boasts a cooling area of 29,000 square meters, a 12.5% increase from the previous generation, and adorns the HONOR Magic V2 with another industry-leading accolade.

 

The Wraparound Antenna Extension Technology 2.0

HONOR has succeeded in developing an ultra-thin antenna, which features a three-millimeter-thin design, making it the thinnest in the foldable industry. Moreover, this sleek design boasts a remarkably 10% higher antenna area than HONOR Magic Vs, delivering the best overall antenna performance in the industry.

Pre-order HONOR Magic V2 from February 21 to March 1, 2024, for Php 79,999 to get a FREE HONOR Watch GS 3 and Harman Kardon Aura Studio 4 HIFI Speaker worth Php 28,000 in total! Head on now to your nearest HONOR Experience and Partner Stores or shop online via Shopee (https://bit.ly/Shop_V2_PR), Lazada (https://bit.ly/Laz_V2_PR), and TikTok Shop (https://bit.ly/TikTok_V2_PR)!

The HONOR Magic V2 can also be purchased through Home Credit, offering 0% interest for as little as Php 1,719 per month for up to 18 months.

For more exciting announcements, head on to HONOR Philippines’ social media platforms: Facebook (Facebook.com/HonorPhilippines), Instagram (Instagram.com/honorph/) and TikTok Shop: (Tiktok.com/@honorphilippines). To check out HONOR’s complete list of retail stores, go to https://www.hihonor.com/ph/retailers/.

 

Home Credit Philippines signs additional 7B Loan Credit Facility with BPI

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Home Credit Philippines (HCPH) recently signed an agreement for an additional P7 billion loan facility with Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), making BPI the company’s biggest creditor with a total of P13.5 billion combined credit line facilities. 

(From left) BPI executives: John-C Syquia, Institutional Banking Head, and TG Limcaoco, President and CEO; Home Credit executives: Zdenek Jankovsky, Treasury and Funding Director, and Patrick Peter Santos, Head of Funding

This is the third loan credit facility extended by BPI to HCPH, following a P1 billion facility in December 2022, P4 billion in August 2023, and an additional P1.5 billion in November 2023 from Robinsons Bank Corporation; following its recent merger with BPI.

Home Credit is the largest consumer finance company in the Philippines. As of end-2023, it has served 10.4 million customers all over the country through a selection of affordable and accessible financing products.

“We at BPI are committed to accelerating our efforts to elevate financial inclusion in the Philippines. We are glad to support Home Credit by providing tailored solutions to enable their financial inclusion initiatives to thrive and at the same time, improving the quality of life for Filipinos, enabling them to do more. This forms part of our vision to help build a better Philippines—one family, one community at a time,” said BPI President and CEO TG Limcaoco.

“This additional loan credit facility to Home Credit, extended by no less than BPI, the first bank in the Philippines and the Southeast Asian Region, is a strong testament to the strong performance and stability of Home Credit’s business in the country as a leading consumer finance company,” Zdenek Jankovsky, HCPH director and treasurer, said.

Home Credit Philippines was issued a double-A Issuer Credit Rating with stable outlook by PhilRatings (Philippine Rating Services Corporation), a pioneer domestic credit rating agency, in 2023 based on its overall creditworthiness and ability to meet all its financial commitments and sustain its growth in its market.  

“This local loan credit facility will enable us to better serve our 10-million strong customer base, allowing us to expand access to credit opportunities for more Filipinos,” Jankovsky added. 

Also in witness of the signing event were BPI officers and executives (from left): Micah Clemente, Relationship Manager; Barbara Untalan, Head of Top Corporates-MNCs and Sectors; Maria Teresa Anna Lim, Head of MNCs and Sectors and; and Grace Saulog, Head of Financial Institutions and Correspondent Banking; with Henry Segovia, Home Credit Funding and Business Development Manager.

Home Credit Philippines has been at the forefront of broadening financial inclusion in the Philippines for more than a decade since it opened its doors in the country in 2013. It has continuously provided innovative credit opportunities for Filipinos especially to women, young people, and those earning less than 20,000 a month.

HC Consumer Finance Philippines Inc., HCPH’s corporate entity, was acquired by Thailand’s Krungsri (Bank of Ayudhya PCL) and Japan’s MUFG (Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.) in June 2023.  

To know more about the latest updates from Home Credit Philippines, visit its official website, www.homecredit.ph. You may also follow its official Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok accounts. Customers are also encouraged to download the My Home Credit App on Google Play to learn more about the latest promos and see what’s new in the Marketplace.

Home Credit Philippines is a financing company duly licensed and supervised by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP).

CICC, GCash sign agreement to ramp up fight against fraud

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Further cementing its long-standing commitment to provide Filipinos with secure and safe digital financial services, the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordination Center (CICC) has signed an agreement with the country’s number one finance app, GCash, to intensify its campaign against online fraud and scams.

From left: GXI Chief Legal Officer Atty. Gilbert Escoto, GFI Chief Legal Officer Atty. Maricor Alvarez-Adriano, Head of New Businesses, Corporate Affairs, and Sustainability Winsley Bangit, Executive Director of CICC USec Alexander Ramos, DICT Secretary Atty. Ivan John Uy, CICC Highly Technical Consultant Ret. Justice Andres Reyes

Under the agreement, GCash will continue to collaborate with CICC, leverage their capabilities, synergize efforts in combating cybercrime activities, and improve cyber capabilities and resilience while accelerating digitization initiatives in line with its vision of “Finance for All.”.

The MOA signing ceremony was graced by Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy, who emphasized that the CICC, which is an agency under the DICT, and GCash will synergize their strengths to become “futurists” that will work together to protect Filipinos by preempting the activities of cybercriminals.

The partnership between the CICC and GCash, he said, is “a strong signal to the whole community and to cyber criminals that we are not sitting back, that we will be aggressive in securing the money that the public has entrusted to us, and that we will actively, diligently, and relentlessly run after cybercriminals, whoever they may be, and bring them to justice.”

Joining Sec. Uy in signing the agreement were CICC Undersecretary Alexander Ramos and Retired Supreme Court Justice Andres Reyes, Jr., GCash Head of New Businesses, Corporate Affairs, and Sustainability Winsley Bangit, GCash Chief Legal Officer Atty. Maria Corazon Alvarez-Adriano and GCash Legal Head Atty. Gilbert A. Escoto.

In his speech, Usec. Ramos urged the victims of online scams to immediately file a report with GCash and the CICC, "not on social media.”.

This, said Ramos, will mobilize the rapid incident response mechanism made possible by the partnership between GCash and the CICC so that the public can be properly protected in time and prevent scammers from getting more victims. The undersecretary also urged the public to reach out to the government’s 24/7 anti-scam response hotline in case of suspected scams by dialing 1326.

Through its continuous cooperation with authorities, GCash has blocked over 4 million fraudulent accounts and taken down 810 phishing sites and 45,000 malicious social media posts and accounts in 2023.

A strong alliance with government agencies like the CICC, said Bangit, is a big boost to creating a safer digital ecosystem for Filipinos, especially as they transact online. “We are honored to stand shoulder to shoulder with you in the pursuit of a safer and more just society,” he added.

In her closing remarks, Atty. Alvarez-Adriano said that in the ongoing integration of digital technologies with the support of public sector agencies like the CICC, “GCash is poised for a state-of-the-art, stable, and inclusive financial system that will support the economic growth of the country.”

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.