PLDT and Smart Partner with Microsoft to Accelerate Ai-Powered Transformation

PLDT and Smart today announced a partnership with Microsoft to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) across the organization, marking a defining step in how the telecommunications leader is reimagining the way work gets done across its workforce and operations.

Building on the PLDT Group’s investment of 1,000 Microsoft 365 Copilot seats, the partnership moves AI beyond experimentation and embeds it into the core of how the business operates—transforming everyday processes, enabling faster decision-making, and creating new capacity for innovation across the enterprise.

A Partnership Built for Transformation

The 1,000-seat Microsoft 365 Copilot investment laid the foundation for a broader, enterprise-wide commitment to scale AI across PLDT and Smart. Rather than treating AI as a standalone technology initiative, the two companies are working together to make it an operational enabler—woven into the flow of everyday work and anchored to meaningful business outcomes.

At the center of this effort is Microsoft 365 Copilot, which PLDT and Smart are using to bring AI into everyday workflows across the organization—from drafting communications and summarizing meetings to analyzing information and supporting faster, better-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. This is about driving real impact, improving how we work, and unlocking new opportunities for innovation,” said Gilbert Gaw, First Vice President, Head of Information Technology and the Transformation Office at PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc.

Rewiring How Work Gets Done

As AI becomes embedded across PLDT and Smart’s operations, its impact is being felt throughout the business. In finance and procurement, teams are completing reviews and analysis with greater speed and confidence. In customer-facing functions, AI is helping synthesize feedback and accelerate response, supporting more consistent and responsive service. Across HR and internal teams, work that once demanded significant time and effort is being completed far more efficiently.

These gains extend well beyond efficiency. By reducing time spent on routine tasks, teams are able to focus on the priorities that matter most—from customer engagement to innovation and growth.

Building for Long-Term Impact

PLDT and Smart’s approach centers on scaling AI in a deliberate and responsible way—pairing deployment with training, governance, and a clear focus on measurable impact. This foundation is enabling the organization to advance more complex use cases in areas such as network operations, enterprise solutions, and AI-driven automation, while building lasting capability across teams.

“What stands out about the PLDT Group’s approach is that they’re focusing on real work and real outcomes. They’re embedding AI into the flow of everyday work, unlocking meaningful productivity gains while building long-term capability across the organization,” said Mayank Wadhwa, ASEAN President, Microsoft.

Looking Ahead

As PLDT and Smart continue to expand AI adoption, the next phase of the partnership will focus on deepening usage across teams, developing more advanced applications, and translating early gains into broader business impact.

More than a technology rollout, the collaboration positions PLDT and Smart not only as a connectivity provider, but as an organization redefining how AI can be applied at scale—demonstrating how strategic partnership and responsible innovation can drive meaningful change across industries and communities in the Philippines.