A significant portion of jobs across Southeast Asia could be reshaped by generative artificial intelligence, with the Philippines identified as one of the most affected economies due to the structure of its workforce.
An analysis released in late April by International Labor Organization specialists International Labour Organization advisors Phu Huynh and Felix Weidenkaff estimates that between 21% and 28% of jobs in selected ASEAN countries are exposed to GenAI. The Philippines falls near the top of this range, largely because of its strong reliance on service industries and its deep integration in information technology and business process management.
While exposure levels are high, only a limited portion of roles—around 3% to 4% in countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand—are considered at greater risk of being replaced entirely. The study emphasizes that most roles will undergo changes rather than be eliminated. “The vast majority face partial task automation, meaning work will evolve rather than disappear,” the ILO specialists said.
Routine office-based roles stand out as particularly vulnerable. In the Philippines, nearly all clerical positions are affected, with 93.7% exposed to AI-related changes and over a third classified as highly susceptible. These jobs often involve repetitive administrative functions such as encoding data and maintaining records.
Beyond clerical work, industries like finance and insurance also show high exposure, with close to nine out of ten roles potentially impacted. The effects are not evenly distributed across the workforce. Women are more likely to be affected due to their concentration in administrative occupations, while workers with higher educational attainment also face increased exposure as AI tools can assist or replace tasks tied to documentation, analysis, and reporting.
Despite these shifts, the report points to possible benefits tied to technological adoption. “High exposure does not necessarily mean job loss and could instead lead to productivity gains and better jobs,” the authors said.
The findings come as the Philippines prepares to take on the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2026, where artificial intelligence is expected to play a central role in regional collaboration. The ILO is urging governments in the region to adopt people-focused policies to navigate the transition, including expanding access to training, strengthening labor protections, and improving workforce data systems.
It also highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among governments, employers, and workers to guide how AI is integrated into workplaces, particularly in sectors that are both key drivers of economic growth and highly susceptible to technological disruption.
