IBPAP says Philippine IT-BPM growth will lean on AI skills and expertise
Industry News · Cross-Industry · November 3, 2026
The industry group says AI changes tasks more than it removes jobs. Judgment and domain knowledge gain value.
Week of October 28 to November 3, 2026 · Orbytt Editorial
The IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP) says growth will come from higher-value, AI-enabled services. The group expects about $44.9 billion in revenue and 1.99 million employees next year.
IBPAP also sets a 2028 target of about $50.5 billion in revenue and 2.14 million full-time employees. These are industry projections, not results.
The Manila Times reports that routine work is being automated. Demand is rising for domain expertise, analysis, and judgment. IBPAP says clients ask more often for specialized expertise and measurable business results.
The article names skills for workers. They include AI fluency, communication, critical thinking, problem solving, and adaptability. It also names cybersecurity and data governance.
IBPAP names banking, finance, services and insurance, healthcare, and global capability centers as growth areas. It says worker readiness differs across roles, companies, and locations.
The Manila Times ran the piece in a supplement section. Read it as the industry’s own view.
The takeawayIndustry leaders expect AI to move work toward expertise and judgment. VAs can build both skills now.
Why it matters
- For talent: pick one field, such as finance or healthcare admin. Learn its terms and common tasks. Then add AI tool skills.
- For agencies: describe your services by result, not by hours. Clients ask for measurable outcomes.
Sources
- The Manila Times, October 29, 2026. With AI booming, new skills needed in IT-BPM sector. manilatimes.net
