The Philippine information technology and business process management (IT-BPM) industry is targeting more than $50 billion in annual revenue and over two million AI-enabled workers by 2028, betting that artificial intelligence will enhance — rather than replace — the country’s workforce.

The roadmap, unveiled by the IT and Business Process Association of the Philippines (IBPAP), marks a strategic shift from measuring industry growth by headcount to creating higher-value digital talent capable of delivering more sophisticated services to global clients.

IBPAP projects the sector could generate between $43.3 billion and $50.5 billion in annual revenue by 2028 while employing 1.85 million to 2.14 million full-time workers, depending on how quickly the industry develops AI capabilities, expands into high-value services, and strengthens collaboration among government, academe and the private sector.

Value every Digital Filipino Worker creates

“For years, our industry has measured success by how many people we could employ. The next chapter will increasingly be defined by the value every Digital Filipino Worker creates. That is the shift from capacity to capability,” said Jack Madrid, IBPAP president and chief executive officer.

“This outlook is ambitious, but achievable,” Madrid added. “Success will depend on how quickly we invest in talent, embrace AI responsibly, and deepen collaboration between industry, government and academe.”

At the center of the strategy is the development of AI-enabled Digital Filipino Workers equipped with artificial intelligence skills, industry expertise, and human competencies such as critical thinking, judgment, empathy and leadership.

IBPAP said revenue generated per worker will become a more important indicator of competitiveness as companies increasingly demand specialized, knowledge-intensive services.

Expand workforce dev’t programs with gov’t agencies

To support the transition, the industry has expanded workforce development programs with government agencies, including Project UNLAD with the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority and the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the AI Tech Academy in Cebu with the Philippine Economic Zone Authority and Byte The Gap with the Department of Education.