AI Smart aims to make AI for all
Smart Communications and Amihan Global Strategies launched AI.Smart, an AI workspace for Smart and TNT subscribers in the Philippines. The service offers access to multiple AI models, including Google Gemini and OpenAI, through credit packs starting at P49. Users can pay via their mobile accounts, bypassing credit card requirements. AI.Smart became available on September 18 through its website and the LiveSmart app.
Smart's AI.Smart launch addresses a key barrier to AI adoption in Southeast Asia: payment. By offering credit packs from P49 and mobile account billing, Smart targets the "cash-crunched" Filipino user who avoids conventional monthly subscriptions. This model could significantly broaden AI access beyond early adopters, turning AI into a utility rather than a premium service.
The AI.Smart offering positions Smart as an early mover in democratizing AI access within the Philippine market. The partnership with Amihan Global Strategies and AWS, leveraging Amazon Bedrock, allows a choice of models like Claude and Google Gemini. This multi-model approach is crucial for diverse use cases, giving users more flexibility than single-model offerings.
The thing to watch is how quickly other regional telcos in markets like Indonesia or Vietnam replicate this prepaid, mobile-billing AI access model. If AI.Smart achieves significant subscriber numbers beyond its initial September 18 launch, it will validate this payment strategy for broader Asian AI adoption.
Related reading
6 stories
Anthropic Launches New Version Of Its Claude Amid Global AI Slowdown Calls
Smart's AI.Smart offers Claude, whose new version we covered amid global calls for an AI slowdown.
Meta Removes 3.64 Million Facebook, Instagram Pages in Scam Crackdown
RISC-V chipmaker Eswin clears Hong Kong listing hearing
Tencent uses its products to guide Hy Image 3.5 development
Klook and Visa Team Up on Travel Offers Across Southeast Asia
