CEBU CITY, Philippines — Artificial intelligence may sound like an expensive investment for small businesses, but Philippine micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) may be able to start experimenting with AI tools for roughly ₱1,200 a month, according to Globe Business.
The figure, however, does not mean Globe is offering a universal AI subscription for ₱1,200. Globe Business Vice President Glenn Estrella said during the G Summit Cebu 2026 that some AI providers offer free trials, followed by entry-level plans costing around US$18 to US$20 per month—equivalent to approximately ₱1,080 to ₱1,200 using an exchange rate of ₱60 to the US dollar.
For cash-conscious MSMEs, the message is straightforward: businesses do not necessarily need a massive technology budget before they can begin testing AI.
Start Small, Then Scale
Estrella said business owners can initially experiment with AI tools to determine whether they actually solve a business problem.
If a subscription does not deliver enough value, it can potentially be canceled after a month or two. If it proves useful, the business can gradually expand its use.
He cited the example of a small restaurant owner who subscribed to an AI model for about US$20 a month and used it to develop a workflow before experimenting with additional applications.
But Estrella warned that simply adding AI to a business will not automatically fix inefficient operations.
His advice was particularly relevant for smaller companies: fix the business process first, then use AI to improve it.
AI can accelerate repetitive tasks and workflows, but it cannot compensate for a fundamentally broken process.
Why the Push Matters Now
The timing is significant because Philippine businesses are showing strong growth expectations even as financing and technology challenges remain.
The latest CPA Australia Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey found that 79.1% of Philippine small businesses reported growth in 2025, the country’s strongest result since 2019. Even more striking, 89.1% expected their businesses to grow in 2026, the highest growth expectation among the 11 economies included in the survey.
Technology is already emerging as an important part of that growth story. CPA Australia’s research found that technology investments were associated with improved profitability among Philippine small businesses, while access to financing remained a major challenge.
That creates an opening for lower-cost AI experimentation.
Instead of attempting a full-scale digital transformation immediately, a small retailer, restaurant, professional service provider or online seller could begin with a narrowly defined task—such as drafting marketing content, organizing information, assisting customer-service workflows or analyzing business data—and measure whether the tool saves time or improves results.
The Philippines Still Has a Major AI Adoption Gap
Despite growing interest, AI adoption among Philippine businesses remains far from universal.
A Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) study found that 14.9% of firms use AI and machine-learning technologies, with adoption concentrated among larger businesses and firms in urban areas, particularly in the ICT and BPO sectors. The study identified limited awareness, skills shortages, infrastructure gaps and insufficient funding as major obstacles.
BusinessWorld has similarly reported that Philippine companies continue to face challenges in moving from AI experimentation to broader deployment, with infrastructure, workforce capability, governance and digital maturity remaining uneven across organizations.
That means affordability is only one piece of the puzzle.
A business may be able to purchase an AI subscription for around ₱1,200, but it still needs employees who know how to use the technology, reliable digital systems, appropriate data, cybersecurity safeguards and clear business objectives.
From Digital Transformation to “Intelligent Transformation”
Globe Business is positioning this shift as more than simply putting AI tools into existing operations.
At G Summit Cebu 2026, Globe executives described an approach centered on connecting network infrastructure, APIs, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence so that systems and data can work together more effectively.
Globe Chief Marketing Officer KD Dizon also pointed to the strong contribution of businesses to the Philippine economy, saying the sector employs about 29 million Filipinos and accounts for more than 60% of the country’s workforce.
The company plans to introduce more bundled solutions aimed specifically at MSMEs, according to Estrella.
The broader direction is consistent with Globe’s own AI transformation. The company reported reaching 90% adoption of Gemini for Workspace among its workforce as of January 2026, while using AI for applications ranging from quality assurance to automation and productivity tools.
Government Also Wants MSMEs to Catch Up
The push toward wider AI adoption is not limited to private companies.
BusinessWorld reported that the Department of Science and Technology has been supporting initiatives designed to bring AI tools and training to MSMEs, including businesses outside major urban centers. DOST has said it aims to train 10,000 MSMEs on advanced technologies, including AI, over three years through the National Artificial Intelligence Center for Research and Innovation and related regional efforts.
The challenge is making sure that AI adoption translates into measurable business gains rather than simply becoming another technology trend.
What MSMEs Should Consider Before Paying for AI
For small-business owners considering an AI subscription, the first question should not be, “Which AI tool is the most powerful?”
It should be, “What problem am I trying to solve?”
A practical starting point could include:
- Identify one repetitive or time-consuming business task.
- Test an AI tool using a free trial when available.
- Start with the lowest-cost plan rather than committing to an expensive system.
- Measure the time, money or productivity gained.
- Avoid uploading sensitive customer or business information without understanding the provider’s privacy and security policies.
- Train employees on responsible AI use.
- Keep human oversight for important business decisions.
- Scale only after the technology demonstrates measurable value.
For an MSME operating on tight margins, ₱1,200 a month can still be meaningful money. But if an AI tool saves several hours of work, improves customer response times or helps generate additional revenue, the investment could potentially pay for itself.
The Bigger Question Is No Longer Whether MSMEs Can Afford AI
The emerging reality for Philippine MSMEs is that the barrier to trying AI is becoming lower.
The harder question may now be whether business owners can identify the right problems to solve and implement the technology responsibly.
Globe Business’ message from Cebu is therefore less about a specific ₱1,200 product and more about lowering the psychological and financial barrier to experimentation.
For businesses that have been waiting for AI to become affordable, that wait may already be over.
The next competitive gap could come down to something else: which MSMEs learn how to use it effectively before their competitors do.
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