Suntec Convention and Exhibition Centre, Singapore — As the curtains close on HR Tech Asia 2025, the Philippine HR Institute reflects on the transformative insights and groundbreaking discussions. These took place during this premier HR technology event. Held from May 5-8 at Suntec Singapore, the event—formerly known as HR Tech Festival Asia, brought together thousands of HR professionals, industry leaders, and technology innovators from across the Asia-Pacific region. For Filipino HR professionals navigating the rapidly evolving workplace landscape, the event offered invaluable perspectives on the intersection of human capital management and technological innovation.

The AI Revolution: Balancing Technology and Human Touch

The opening day set a powerful tone with Brian Sommer of Techventive exploring the ethical dimensions of AI in HR. His keynote presentation highlighted a critical paradox in today’s recruitment landscape. Job seekers increasingly leverage AI tools to enhance their applications, yet organizations simultaneously deploy AI systems to screen these very same candidates.

Sommer cautioned that HR professionals are rapidly adopting AI for its convenience. They often do this without fully considering the implications of diminished human discernment in the process. His presentation traced AI’s influence throughout the employment cycle—from recruitment to retirement. Sommer emphasized that while technology offers efficiency, the human element remains essential for ethical decision-making.

This discussion resonates deeply in the Philippine context, where according to recent research, 58% of companies now have data analytics teams. Yet, many smaller organizations still fall short in embracing effective people analytics (PeopleHum, 2024). The challenge for Filipino HR leaders lies in thoughtfully implementing AI. They must preserve the high-touch, relationship-oriented workplace culture characteristic of many Philippine organizations.

A panel discussion featured Dr. Fermin Diez, Goki Muthusamy of Visa, Ley Hoon Quah of Capitaland Investment, Matt Macinnis of Rippling, and Anish Lalchandani of AP Moller-Maersk. This discussion further explored how organizations can maintain agility amid technological disruption. The panelists emphasized that agility isn’t merely about quick adaptation. It’s about fundamentally reimagining how work gets done in an era of constant change.

Kung Teong Wah’s session on job redesign as a business imperative highlighted the precarious nature of today’s market. This compels organizations to transform rapidly. His message that workforce transformation is paramount whether companies accept it or not provides a stark reminder. Philippine organizations must proactively redesign roles to remain competitive in the global marketplace.

Leadership, Inclusion, and Organizational Excellence

The second day featured compelling presentations. These shifted focus toward leadership excellence and inclusive workplace cultures. Nicola Wood of Standard Chartered Bank delivered an insightful keynote on redefining performance through people, culture, and organizational excellence. This challenged traditional metrics and proposed more holistic approaches to measuring success.

Sri Kodali of ServiceNow built on this foundation with a presentation highlighting the critical connection between employee engagement and business success. This serves as a timely reminder for Philippine organizations where, according to research, 52% of Filipino professionals report experiencing burnout at least a few times monthly (Manila Recruitment, 2024).

Perhaps the most thought-provoking session was the panel discussion on cultivating an inclusion-first mindset. It featured diverse perspectives from Sunil Puri (Stewardship Asia Centre), Sophie Guerin (HSBC), Yvonne Tan (DENTSU), and Kit Lim (Swire Shipping). The panelists explored practical strategies for embedding inclusion into organizational DNA. They emphasized treating it as a core principle rather than a separate initiative.

This focus on inclusion aligns with evolving workforce expectations in the Philippines. Millennials and Gen Z workers are projected to comprise a significant portion of the workforce by 2025. They prioritize diverse and inclusive work environments. As noted in recent research, younger generations are more likely to leave companies that don’t provide supportive, inclusive cultures with clear development opportunities (Manila Recruitment, 2024).

The afternoon roundtable discussions created space for collaborative problem-solving around pressing HR challenges, from talent retention to skills development. These interactive sessions allowed Filipino HR professionals to share their unique perspectives while learning from regional counterparts facing similar challenges.

Implications for Philippine HR Practitioners

As we integrate insights from HR Tech Asia 2025 into our Philippine context, several key considerations emerge.

First, balancing AI with Filipino workplace values presents a unique challenge. While embracing AI-powered HR solutions, Philippine organizations must ensure these technologies complement rather than replace the relationship-oriented approach that characterizes Filipino workplace culture. The challenge lies in leveraging AI for efficiency while preserving human connection.

Second, upskilling emerges as a strategic imperative. The emphasis on skills development throughout the conference underscores the urgent need for Philippine organizations to invest in upskilling initiatives. Research indicates that 86% of millennials would stay with their current employer if offered career development opportunities (Manila Recruitment, 2024). Therefore, upskilling represents both a retention strategy and a competitive advantage.

Third, Philippine companies must redefine agility within our cultural context. Conference speakers repeatedly highlighted agility as essential for organizational success. For Philippine companies, this means developing the capacity to respond quickly to market changes while maintaining the cultural values that define our workplaces.

Finally, inclusive leadership serves as a key differentiator. The focus on inclusive leadership practices offers valuable guidance for Philippine organizations seeking to attract and retain diverse talent. By embedding inclusion into leadership development programs, companies can create environments where all employees feel valued and empowered.

Looking Ahead: The Future of HR in the Philippines

HR Tech Asia 2025 underscored that the future of work is not something that simply happens to organizations. It is shaped by forward-thinking HR leaders who actively engage in the process. For the Philippine HR Institute and the broader Filipino HR community, the conference served as both inspiration and a practical roadmap. It guides how to navigate the complex intersection of technology, talent, and organizational culture.

As we move forward, Filipino HR professionals have an unprecedented opportunity to reimagine work. They must honor our cultural heritage while embracing technological innovation. By thoughtfully implementing the insights gained from HR Tech Asia 2025, we can create workplaces that are not only more efficient and productive but also more human-centered and inclusive.

The journey ahead will require bold experimentation, continuous learning, and collaborative problem-solving. The Philippine HR Institute remains committed to supporting HR professionals throughout this journey. They provide resources, community, and thought leadership as we collectively navigate the future of work in the Philippines.

References:

PeopleHum. (2024, February 20). Top 11 kahanga-hanga HR trends in the Philippines in 2025. https://www.peoplehum.com/blog/kahanga-hanga-hr-trends-in-the-philippines

SHRM. (2025, January 14). 7 Trends That Will Shape HR in 2025. https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/news/hr-quarterly/7-trends-that-will-shape-hr-in-2025

Manila Recruitment. (2024, February 7). The Future of HR: 4 Trends and Challenges in 2023. https://manilarecruitment.com/manila-recruitment-articles-advice/hr-trends-challenges-infographic/

Betterworks. (2025, February 17). Top 10 HR Challenges for Leaders in 2025. https://www.betterworks.com/magazine/8-of-the-biggest-challenges-for-hr/

Whatfix. (2024, December 19). Top 21 HR Challenges in 2025 (+Solutions). https://whatfix.com/blog/hr-challenges/