According to a report by Manila Standard, the Philippines' low adoption of artificial intelligence across sectors, especially retail, is poised to hinder the country's gross domestic product growth. The article highlights that while global economies increasingly leverage AI for efficiency and innovation, the Philippines lags behind, risking its competitive edge in the regional market.
Barcodes Philippines said that the adoption of standardized barcodes and GTINs is a foundational step for retail AI and data-driven inventory management, noting that many Philippine SMEs still lack basic product identification, which limits their ability to integrate advanced technologies.
In the retail sector, which accounts for a significant portion of economic activity, the lack of AI integration means missed opportunities in supply chain optimization, customer personalization, and inventory management. The report underscores that without accelerated AI adoption, the sector—and by extension the entire economy—may struggle to meet growth targets, especially as neighboring countries embrace digital transformation.
The article calls for policy interventions and public-private partnerships to boost AI readiness, emphasizing education, infrastructure, and small business support. It warns that failure to act could widen the digital divide and stifle long-term economic development, making AI adoption a national priority for sustaining GDP momentum.