MANILA — Filipino employees are more well-versed in using artificial intelligence (AI) than the global average, according to a new study by Microsoft. In its Work Trend Index Report, Microsoft found that 25 percent of Filipinos are "frontier professionals" in AI use, compared to 16 percent globally. Some 66 percent of Filipino employees worry about falling behind if they don't adapt quickly to AI, but only 35 percent said their company leadership consistently encourages proper AI use, and only 25 percent said they are rewarded for reinventing how they work with AI. Microsoft Philippines head of communications Josh Aquino said, "Our people have gone further than the systems, and closing that gap is the opportunity in front of every leader in this market." He noted that global data showed 67 percent of AI's impact comes from organizational factors like managerial support and guidelines. Aquino urged businesses to tap employees' AI skills, reward workflow upgrades, and "back your managers," adding that scaling learning and turning one team's win into company standards "require decisions." He said Microsoft counts the Department of Education and "most of the major banks" in the Philippines among its clients, but small enterprises can also invest, citing M356 for a small business at $20 to $30 a month and Copilot including Cowork at another $20 to $30 a month, totaling $60 for a full back office.