Agentic AI Emerges Amidst Growing Risks
As many companies in the Philippines adopt artificial intelligence (AI) for content generation, a more advanced system known as “agentic AI” is emerging. This technology can autonomously design workplace solutions and collaborate with humans on business strategies.
However, the rise of sophisticated AI technologies also introduces complex security risks. These AI “agents” can make decisions and strategize with minimal human intervention.
Jimmy Go, president and CEO of VST ECS Philippines, highlighted that the Philippines and Southeast Asia are well-positioned to integrate agentic AI into their work ecosystems. He described this as the beginning of the “augmented enterprise,” where technology enhances human capabilities. Go made these remarks during a tech summit focused on digital transformation.
He encouraged businesses to explore how AI can streamline operations and improve customer experiences, but emphasized that even advanced AI systems are ineffective without secure and scalable data infrastructure. Go pointed out that AI is fundamentally changing business practices, making traditional strategies inadequate.
According to a survey by Boston Consulting Group, 85 percent of business leaders in Southeast Asia believe AI will be crucial for their competitiveness. Some tech companies, like Lenovo, are already moving in this direction. Alex Tay, Lenovo’s solutions director for Asia Pacific, noted that agentic AI allows for better customization of AI usage, although adoption maturity varies among firms.
Challenges such as a lack of in-house expertise and insufficient strategic planning have hindered some businesses. Herns Hermida, a Cisco architecture specialist, warned that hackers are also leveraging AI advancements to enhance their attacks, making AI an “attacker’s ally.”
The global AI market is projected to be valued at $371 billion this year, with expectations to exceed $4.2 trillion by 2032. In the Philippines, the AI market share is anticipated to reach $1.03 billion by 2026, according to industry estimates.
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