Companies urged to align AI with business goals

Acting now will prevent businesses from being left behind as AI further advances.

Courtesy: VST ECS Phils., Inc.

Southeast Asia to be a key market in AI's expansion

Companies urged to align AI with business goals

Businesses must urgently pivot to explore and align AI capabilities with their core goals to capitalize on the technology's rapid advancements.

Companies must explore how AI can serve their unique business goals. Whether it’s reducing operational costs, improving customer experience, streamlining supply chains, or accelerating innovation—AI offers tangible, measurable impact, VST ECS Phils., Inc. CEO and President Jimmy Go said during his opening speech at the 8th CXO Tech Summit at the Shangri-La Boracay.

He noted that industry analysts project that the AI market will contribute nearly USD 2 trillion or around PHP 116.304 trillion to the global economy by 2030.

Southeast Asia is also seen to be "the epicenter of the next great wave of adoption." This is thanks to its young and digitally savvy population, advancing digital infrastructure, business agility, and consumer excitement.

Go also cited a study by Boston Consulting Group that revealed that 85 percent of business leaders in Southeast Asia believe AI will be the single most critical factor for their competitiveness—a figure that surpasses the global average.

This move is vital as the world enters a new era of Agentic AI, which is an autonomous system capable of making decisions, executing strategies, and collaborating like digital teammates.

This is the dawn of the Augmented Enterprise: a strategic integration of technology designed to amplify human capabilities. What was once theoretical is now gaining traction across industries, Go said.

He noted that previous strategies are no longer enough as "AI is a fundamental force that is actively rewriting the rules of business."

The decisions you make today will shape the state of your business five years from now. The competitive advantage will belong to those who act decisively, invest strategically, and lead with clarity. The AI revolution is going to be bigger than the Internet, the executive said.

Go said that the new frontier of Augmented Enterprise presents new challenges in data security, system integration, and ethical governance. Further, this demands a new focus on the human element.

He emphasized the importance of upskilling the workforce to be AI-literate. It is also important to cultivate new talent focused on skills AI cannot replicate, such as critical thinking, creativity, and strategic leadership.

The goal is no longer man versus machine, but man with machine, Go said.

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