The Philippine outsourcing industry could remain competitive against artificial intelligence as the rising cost of “tokens” used to operate the technology may deter companies from fully automating their operations, according to property consultant BusinessWorld.
In a recent report, JLL Philippines said the expense of AI tokens — the computational units that power AI models — is still significant enough to make total automation less attractive than human labor in many business processes. The firm noted that this cost dynamic could sustain demand for outsourcing services, particularly in areas requiring judgment and client interaction, even as AI adoption continues to reshape global work patterns.
However, JLL remains cautious about AI’s long-term effect on office space demand, acknowledging that more efficient AI systems could eventually reduce the physical footprint needed by outsourcing firms. For now, the combination of rising AI operational costs and a still-maturing technology landscape is expected to give the Philippines a window of opportunity to strengthen its position as a preferred outsourcing destination in the region.