The partnership builds on the PLDT Group’s investment in 1,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot seats and aims to integrate AI tools into employees’ everyday workflows rather than limit their use to experimental projects.
Under the initiative, PLDT and Smart are deploying Microsoft 365 Copilot for tasks such as drafting communications, summarizing meetings, analyzing information and assisting employees in making faster, more informed decisions.
“Our partnership with Microsoft allows us to accelerate this transformation at scale, embedding AI into everyday processes and building new capabilities across the organization,” PLDT and Smart first vice president and head of information technology and the transformation office Gilbert Gaw said in a statement.
“This is about driving real impact, improving how we work, and unlocking new opportunities for innovation,” he added.
AI across business functions
PLDT and Smart said AI tools are already being applied across several parts of their operations.
Finance and procurement teams are using AI to speed up reviews and analysis, while customer-facing units are tapping the technology to synthesize feedback and accelerate responses.
Human resources and other internal teams are also using AI to reduce the time and effort required for routine tasks.
The telcos said these productivity gains could allow employees to devote more time to customer engagement, innovation and growth initiatives.
The push reflects a broader effort among companies to incorporate generative AI into workplace processes as businesses explore ways to increase productivity while managing the risks associated with the emerging technology.
Microsoft ASEAN president Mayank Wadhwa said PLDT Group’s approach is focused on integrating AI into actual business processes.
“They’re embedding AI into the flow of everyday work, unlocking meaningful productivity gains while building long-term capability across the organization,” Wadhwa said.
Scaling AI responsibly
Alongside deployment, PLDT and Smart said their AI strategy includes employee training, governance and measurement of the technology’s business impact.
The companies plan to use this foundation to pursue more advanced applications in network operations, enterprise solutions and AI-powered automation.
The approach is intended to build internal AI capabilities while ensuring that adoption is scaled in a deliberate and responsible manner.
PLDT and Smart did not disclose the financial terms of the partnership or provide specific productivity figures from the initial deployment.
More advanced applications ahead
The next phase of the partnership will focus on expanding AI adoption among teams and developing more advanced applications, according to the companies.
PLDT and Smart also plan to assess how productivity improvements from their initial deployments can translate into wider business gains.
The collaboration forms part of PLDT Group’s broader effort to position technology as an enabler of its operations beyond its core role as a connectivity provider.
By embedding AI into day-to-day processes, the group is seeking to develop a model for applying the technology at scale while balancing productivity, innovation and responsible deployment. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
