5M Filipino Jobs at Risk in 2025 Due to AI, Climate Change — FFW

Around 5 million Filipino workers may face job displacement in 2025 due to the combined effects of artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change, the Federation of Free Workers (FFW) warned on Thursday.

The projection is based on an International Monetary Fund (IMF) report from December 2024, which revealed that 14% of the Philippine workforce is at risk of being replaced by AI, coupled with job losses caused by typhoons that disrupted agriculture and other industries in 2024.

AI’s Impact on the Workforce

The IMF report highlighted that 36% of jobs in the Philippines are “highly exposed” to AI, meaning they could either be replaced or significantly transformed by automation.

• 14% of jobs fall into the “low-complementarity” category, meaning tasks performed by workers in these roles are at high risk of being replaced entirely.
• Jobs held by women are particularly vulnerable, with 50% of women’s roles highly exposed to AI compared to 25% for men.

The FFW emphasized that job losses due to AI will likely occur gradually, rather than all at once.

Climate Change and Job Losses

The effects of super typhoons in 2024 displaced 2.3 million workers, primarily in the agricultural sector, according to FFW Vice President for Research, Advocacy, and Partnerships Julius Cainglet.

He warned of recurring challenges:

• Heat stress is expected to return by late February and March, potentially disrupting industries reliant on outdoor labor.
• Workers already affected by typhoons may face further vulnerabilities.

Call for Preparedness

Cainglet urged increased preparation and the need to engage employers through social dialogue to mitigate the impacts of these challenges.

“Those who lost their jobs in agriculture due to super typhoons need long-term recovery plans. And as heat stress becomes a recurring issue, we must focus on resilience-building efforts,” Cainglet said.

Looking Ahead

The dual threat of AI and climate change presents significant risks to the Philippine workforce. Experts stress the importance of equipping industries and workers with the skills and resources needed to adapt to these ongoing disruptions.