And my fear, about Philippines in particular, is that we might be left behind again,” Gurango said. One major difference with AI, Gurango said, is the speed and breadth of its adoption. He rated AI’s potential impact far above previous technological shifts. Previous technologies displaced particular occupations, he said, while debate over AI increasingly centers on whether machines could take over functions associated more broadly with people. Gurango said the challenge is not simply developing more capable AI models but ensuring that the technology preserves human agency, dignity, and values as its use expands.