Artificial intelligence is spreading into traditional service sectors in the Philippines and other markets, according to the World Trade Centres Association. A senior executive at the trade network said the shift is creating opportunities for export-oriented businesses.

Scott Wang, Vice President, Asia Pacific, at the World Trade Centres Association, cited recent examples from global services trade showing AI being used in areas such as healthcare and elder care, rather than only by technology companies. He said the same pattern could apply to manufacturers that add services around the goods they sell.

The comments come as the Philippines posts strong export numbers. Preliminary figures from the Philippine Statistics Authority showed merchandise exports reached USD $9.11 billion in August 2026, up 27.8% from a year earlier and the highest monthly level since the series began in 1991.

Electronics remained the main driver, with shipments totalling USD $6.20 billion, or 68.1% of all exports that month.

Wang pointed to examples at the China International Fair for Trade in Services in Beijing, where exhibitors showcased AI tools for traditional medicine drug discovery and automated systems for senior care facilities. He said the focus was on how technology can reshape service delivery and increase the value of existing industries.

That matters for the Philippines because both services and manufacturing play major roles in the economy. The country has long relied on electronics exports while also building a major information technology and business process management sector serving overseas clients.

Industry body IBPAP said the IT-BPM sector generated more than USD $40 billion in revenue in 2025.

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