With AI reshaping jobs, are Filipino students ready for today’s workforce?

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As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the workplace, Filipino students are facing a critical question: are they being prepared for the jobs that will exist by the time they graduate?

The shift is already being felt across industries. Deloitte’s 2026 Human Capital Trends report noted that workers are experiencing major changes in the workplace, with 49 percent reporting changes in the work itself and 39 percent noting changes in the skills required. Deloitte warned that if the workforce fails to keep up, organizations may face widening skills gaps and stagnant productivity, while workers may suffer from social and economic exclusion and long-term employability challenges.

The impact is also reaching students who are preparing to enter the labor force. According to the World Economic Forum, entry-level jobs in the United States have already slipped to 35 percent in recent months, largely due to AI. While the figure reflects the U.S. market, it raises a broader concern for countries such as the Philippines, where young graduates and working students must compete in an increasingly digital and AI-driven economy.

This is the gap that Mapúa Malayan Digital College (MMDC) said it aims to address by putting career readiness at the center of its curriculum.

MMDC said its goal is not only to help students earn degrees, but also to prepare them for employment, career advancement, and changing industry demands in a time when AI is disrupting the workforce. The digital-first college said a significant part of its student population is composed of working students who are personally investing in their education to improve their employment prospects.

To strengthen this effort, MMDC is working with Arizona State University (ASU) to expose Filipino students to global academic content, international learning pathways, and workplace-focused training. ASU was ranked the No. 1 Most Innovative School in the United States by U.S. News & World Report for 11 consecutive years from 2016 to 2026, ahead of institutions such as MIT and Stanford University.

Through the Mapúa-ASU collaboration, MMDC students may access ASU content integrated into the curriculum, ASU microcredentials, and additional non-academic enrichment learning through masterclasses with ASU faculty. The college said these learning experiences are designed to help students improve communication skills, build confidence, and prepare for modern workplace challenges.

By combining ASU’s innovation-driven academic resources with MMDC’s 100 percent online, career-focused, and Projects, Problems, Cases (PPC) Learning Method, the college said students are given opportunities to build technology and business skills suited for the realities of today’s workforce.

“MMDC understands that our students’ main goal is to acquire job-ready competencies that can help them secure employment, get promoted, or enter rewarding careers. This collaboration with ASU benefits our students as they will obtain global insights on relevant industries, helping them stand out in the job market,” says Jenny Chua, the Vice President of Mapúa Malayan Digital College.

“Backed by world-class Mapúa and ASU curricula, MMDC produces competent graduates who have global edge, as they are able to stand out and contribute to the modern workplace right from day one,” Chua added.

MMDC said its programs are aligned with high-growth fields in technology and business. Its Bachelor of Science, Major in Business Administration program offers the AI specialization for Business Strategy and Operations, which focuses on AI-driven decision-making, business automation, and strategy optimization.

Meanwhile, its Bachelor of Science, Major in Information Technology program offers the AI-Powered Product Development track, which focuses on AI product design, development, and deployment, as well as building intelligent solutions that solve real business problems at scale.

Other Business Administration specializations include Marketing Management, Operations Management, and Human Resource Management. These cover areas such as brand strategy, digital marketing, consumer behavior, supply chain management, logistics, process optimization, talent acquisition, compensation strategy, and organizational development.

MMDC said it also sees a continuous upward trend for technology roles as AI and new technologies become more embedded in business and operations. Its Information Technology program covers Data Analytics, Software Development, and Network and Cybersecurity to prepare students for tech-driven workplaces.

MMDC said it is also embedding AI into the learning experience itself through ASU’s AI frameworks and best practices, as well as 24/7 AI support in the Coursera learning management system. The college said these AI-supported tools are meant to enhance understanding, help students practice real-world scenarios, and review their work.

As part of the Mapúa Education Group, MMDC said it is contributing to a broader effort to redesign the learning experience so students become AI-fluent, discipline-grounded, industry-ready, and prepared for the future of work. By 2029, the college said all MMDC graduates will be AI-fluent.

MMDC also said it is making global academic experiences more accessible through flexible schedules, scholarships, and financial aid programs. It also offers certification programs for non-graduate professionals and career shifters in fast-growing industries.

Its short course offerings include virtual assistance, digital marketing including content creation, data analytics, AI for personal productivity, and English language training.

“Our programs are meticulously aligned with the demands of top local and global employers to ensure student success and employability. We are able to achieve this without trade-offs. MMDC remains committed to delivering this level of higher education with flexibility, accessibility, and affordability for all our students,” Chua said.