AI Skills Now Essential, Microsoft Says in 2025 Report

Microsoft and LinkedIn are set to release the 2025 Work Trend Index on April 23, revealing how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming workplaces globally—and highlighting the Philippines as one of the world’s fastest adopters of AI-powered productivity tools.

The upcoming report builds on key findings from 2024, when AI adoption among Filipino professionals outpaced organizational readiness, prompting calls for stronger leadership strategies and employee training to manage rapid technological change.

“The Philippines has immense potential to lead in digital innovation,” said Peter Maquera, CEO of Microsoft Philippines.

“By embracing AI and investing in workforce upskilling, we can position the country as a global hub for AI-driven industries,” Maquera added.

The 2025 index is expected to emphasize AI as a workplace enabler, showcase Filipino early adopters driving efficiency and creativity, and examine how leadership is evolving to support responsible and strategic AI use.

In the 2024 report, 86% of knowledge workers in the Philippines were already using AI—double the figure from just six months prior—while 83% were bringing their own AI tools to work due to the lack of a clear corporate AI strategy.

This trend, referred to as “Bring Your Own AI” or BYOAI, raised red flags over cybersecurity, compliance, and data privacy, especially in heavily regulated industries.

Despite widespread use, 52% of employees hesitated to admit using AI for core tasks, fearing it could make them seem replaceable in their roles.

Filipino leaders are increasingly prioritizing AI proficiency in hiring, with 70% saying they would not employ someone without AI skills, based on the 2024 findings.

LinkedIn data showed a 142-fold increase in Filipino users adding AI-related skills to their profiles, particularly in marketing, design, and creative roles—sectors now undergoing rapid transformation through AI tools like Microsoft Copilot.

Copilot alone was credited with summarizing over 200 years’ worth of meetings globally in 2024, helping employees reclaim hours of productivity previously lost to administrative tasks.

Power users—defined as employees who experiment extensively with AI and save more than 30 minutes per day—are emerging in the Philippines, yet local data show they receive less structured AI training than their global peers.

The 2025 report will spotlight companies that successfully bridge this gap by investing in AI onboarding, upskilling programs, and cultural shifts that normalize responsible AI usage.

Microsoft and LinkedIn’s joint efforts in the country include AI literacy programs and free training modules aimed at preparing Filipino professionals for new roles in the AI economy.

The report will also explore how leadership in the Philippines is evolving to implement governance frameworks, measure real-world productivity impacts, and foster innovation through AI.

These insights are drawn from a global survey of 31,000 workers, LinkedIn’s hiring trends, Microsoft 365 productivity metrics, and case studies from Fortune 500 companies.

Philippine-specific findings from the 2025 Work Trend Index will be released on April 24.

The report follows a growing trend across Asia where digital transformation is accelerating, and AI is reshaping traditional roles, decision-making, and how work is defined across industries.

As AI continues to evolve, the report underscores the importance of building not just technological readiness, but human adaptability through continuous learning and leadership support.