In Manila, the International Labour Organization (ILO) is ushering in a new era of enterprise development in the Philippines. Through its Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme and in partnership with the UN Joint SDG Fund programme on an Inclusive, Competitive, and Responsible Digital Philippines (Digital-PINAS), the ILO has introduced AI tools into its training modules for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The initiative brings practical, low-cost digital innovations directly to the factory floor — helping businesses streamline operations, improve workplace cooperation, and build resilience in an increasingly digital economy.
Since 2022, the SCORE programme has been supporting Philippine enterprises in adopting global best practices in teamwork, occupational safety and health, and performance management. Now, with the integration of AI, the programme is moving into an exciting new phase that merges human ingenuity with intelligent technologies.
In August 2025, SCORE trainers and Enterprise Improvement Teams (EITs) participated in a pioneering refresher series on AI for Enterprise Improvement, led by ILO experts and SCORE Master Trainers. The sessions explored how AI can help SMEs become more data-driven, agile, and competitive. Participants discovered how AI can enhance collaboration by assisting teams in drafting workplace documents, streamlining grievance procedures, and improving communication channels. It also enables faster, real-time tracking of key performance indicators such as Quality, Cost, Delivery, Morale, and Safety (QCDMS), allowing enterprises to visualize data instantly, identify trends, and make informed decisions on the spot.
AI’s potential extends to the factory floor itself, where predictive maintenance systems, AI-powered safety checks, and digital dashboards are already beginning to reduce manual workloads and empower workers to focus on creative problem-solving and innovation.
“AI doesn’t replace workers — it empowers them,” underscored one training session, echoing the ILO’s long-standing commitment to inclusive innovation and decent work for all.
As the ILO and its partners scale up the initiative, they are calling on enterprises, industry associations, and policymakers to join in expanding AI-powered SCORE training nationwide.
This collaboration marks a turning point for Philippine SMEs: an opportunity to modernize operations, strengthen improvement teams, and unlock productivity gains — all while safeguarding workers’ rights.
AI with SCORE illustrates how digital transformation and enterprise development can go hand in hand. By harnessing AI responsibly, Filipino enterprises can become more competitive, more inclusive, and more future-ready by proving that innovation, when guided by social justice, works for everyone.
About SCORE
The Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) Programme is a global ILO initiative that promotes sustainable enterprise development through better workplace practices. In the Philippines, SCORE is implemented with support from Digital-PINAS and other development partners.
Original article: https://www.ilo.org/resource/news/ilo-programme-introduces-ai-training-enterprises-philippines
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
