Global technology leaders are urging Philippine micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) seeking to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) to first establish reliable information technology (IT) systems, maintain quality data, and strengthen cybersecurity, as the sector continues to lag in AI adoption and faces cybersecurity risks.
“For MSMEs, number one, [they] need to have a good IT system in the company. If they’re not fully computerized, then there’s nothing AI can do,” Jimmy D. Go, chief executive officer (CEO) and president of VST ECS Phils., Inc., said virtually during a press conference on the third day of the VST ECS CXO Tech Summit 2026 on Thursday.
“Number two, they should have good data on their operations. If they don’t have good data on their operations, it’s really impossible to let AI help them,” he added.
For US-based cybersecurity company Fortinet, cybersecurity should be a priority for MSMEs even before they integrate AI into their operations. Businesses can start by practicing basic cyber hygiene, including safeguarding sensitive company data and avoiding its exposure online, according to Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE).
“The key factor is to really let security not be an afterthought,” Veronica “Bambi” Escalante, country manager of Fortinet Philippines, said during the press conference.
“You may not have the resources for the right set of tools. Just have the right governance and the right foundations to make sure that you don’t put important private data on public data,” Walter So, managing director of HPE, also said during the press conference.
The recommendations come as local MSMEs continue to lag in AI adoption, while smaller businesses face disproportionate cybersecurity risks, according to reports.
A 2025 report by the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) found that only 14.9% of local firms use AI tools, with adoption concentrated among large companies and remaining limited among MSMEs.
Meanwhile, Verizon’s 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report highlighted the disproportionate impact of data breaches on smaller businesses, reporting that ransomware accounted for 88% of breaches involving small and medium-sized businesses, compared with 39% among large organizations.
In his keynote speech on Wednesday, Mr. Go said VST ECS Philippines, one of the country’s leading information and communications technology (ICT) distributors, helps local enterprises pursue digital transformation by connecting them with global technology providers and making advanced technology solutions more accessible.
The company works with resellers, systems integrators, and enterprise clients to support technology adoption and digital transformation across industries.
Now in its ninth year, the VST ECS CXO Tech Summit is being held in Boracay as part of the company’s efforts to promote technology adoption and innovation among businesses.
The four-day summit brings together technology leaders and business executives to discuss the integration of AI across industries. — Edg Adrian A. Eva