Meta brings Business AI to the Philippines to enhance customer engagement for local businesses

Manila, Philippines — Meta has launched Business AI on Messenger in the Philippines, introducing a new tool aimed at helping local businesses provide faster and more personalised customer engagement through artificial intelligence.

The company said the new feature is designed to support the growing demand for real-time communication between businesses and customers, as shopping and service expectations increasingly shift online. 

According to Meta, Business AI offers three main benefits for businesses: improved sales performance through instant customer engagement and product recommendations, simplified setup using data from existing content and campaigns, and continuous, real-time support without downtime.

The launch forms part of Meta’s broader efforts to integrate AI across its platforms, offering automated messaging solutions for both small enterprises and large organisations. 

“Business AI is a game-changer for businesses in the Philippines,” said Jerry Bongco, country director for Meta in the Philippines. “With more than 600 million conversations between people and businesses happening every day on our platforms, the opportunity for businesses to connect with customers in meaningful ways has never been greater. Our AI agents make it easy for businesses to deliver personalised support and drive sales, 24/7.”

Some local companies have already adopted the service, such as White Coat Manila, a family-owned medical apparel brand, which reported a 20% reduction in customer support costs after using Business AI on Messenger.

“AI for business messaging is a true game-changer. It handles hundreds of basic inquiries from our customers swiftly and accurately,” said Franco Ongkingco, co-founder of White Coat Manila. “The savings for us in both time and expense have helped us focus our efforts on growing our business.”

Meta said the new tool is part of its vision to make AI accessible to businesses of all sizes, offering an out-of-the-box solution that avoids complex integrations. “Whether you’re a one-person shop or a growing enterprise, Business AI on Messenger is designed to help you compete and succeed in today’s digital economy,” Bongco added.The company noted that the Philippines, where messaging apps play a central role in digital communication and commerce, is a key market for testing new AI-driven business tools. Globally, Meta has also recently strengthened its online safety strategy with the expansion of ‘Teen Accounts ‘ on Facebook and Messenger.