Filipinos are searching for artificial intelligence (AI) topics online at a higher rate than Americans, according to a new analysis by KalonAI based on Google search data.
The study found that the Philippines records an estimated 61,450 AI-related Google searches per 100,000 people each month, compared with 51,220 searches per 100,000 people in the United States, about 20% higher on a per-capita basis.
Within the country, Cebu City emerged as the top city for AI-related search activity, ahead of Angeles City, Makati City, Baguio City, and Iloilo City. Completing the top 10 were Cagayan de Oro City, Davao City, Quezon City, Manila City and Pasig City.
At the regional level, the National Capital Region (NCR) ranked first, followed by Central Visayas, CALABARZON, Davao Region, and Central Luzon. The rest of the top 10 included Western Visayas, the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), Northern Mindanao, the Ilocos Region and the Cagayan Valley.
Meanwhile, Zamboanga City posted the lowest AI-related search activity among highly urbanized cities, while the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) ranked last among regions.
“The breadth of AI-related search activity across the Philippines stands out,” KalonAI’s spokesperson said.
“The data shows strong search activity not only in major business centers, but also in cities and regions across the country.”
The findings were based on Google Keyword Planner data covering average monthly search volumes from June 2025 to May 2026.
KalonAI said it analyzed AI-related search queries in both the Philippines and the United States and adjusted the figures for population to calculate per-capita search rates.
Philippine cities and regions were likewise ranked based on per-capita search activity rather than total search volume.