On Thursday, 23 January 2025, Vodjo Software House hosted a special webinar focusing on AI technology titled “Business Transformation through AI: These Days and The Future.” This special webinar featured a speaker from New Zealand, Ihshan Gumilar, a Generative AI Engineer.
Through this webinar, participants were invited to gain a deeper understanding of AI, learning that it is no longer just a futuristic concept found in science fiction films. AI has evolved into a transformative force reshaping various aspects of life and redefining the global business landscape.
The exponential advancement in technology, particularly in cloud computing, big data, and algorithms, has enabled the creation of increasingly sophisticated AI systems. Machines now have the ability to learn, adapt, and even “think” like humans, opening limitless opportunities for innovation and progress in various fields.
About the Speaker and the Webinar
Ihshan Gumilar is a Generative AI Engineer and the founder of AImpathy. With an academic background in psychology and neuroscience, he also has a keen interest in VR. As a diaspora in New Zealand, where he completed his undergraduate, master’s and doctoral studies, and where he currently works, Ihshan expressed his fondness for returning to Indonesia, particularly for its unique cuisine. He shared this as an icebreaker while introducing himself at the webinar.
Throughout the session, Ihshan adeptly explained the concepts, theories, and practical applications of AI across various industries. He often engaged with the audience, asking if any participants came from specific industries or professions, then illustrating how AI technology could be applied in those contexts. This approach made the material accessible even to non-technical attendees, ensuring it was user-friendly for all.
Questions raised during the session primarily resolved around concerns over data security and the gap between human and AI capabilities. Ihshan provided thoughtful answers backed by facts and data. According to him, AI is not meant to diminish human abilities but rather serves as a tool to simplify tasks, solve problems, and handle massive-scale challenges. “If issues in customer service occur on a small scale, such as one, two, ten or even twenty cases, they can be resolved. However, when the volume reaches hundreds or millions, it demands significant effort and time. This is where AI becomes highly reliable,” he explained.
With over 150 attendees and 400 registrants, the webinar generated enthusiastic responses. This was evident from the participants’ curiosity through direct questions and chats. However, due to time constraints, not all questions could be addressed by the speaker or organizers.
The collaboration between Ihshan and Vodjo was conducted entirely online, overcoming the eight-hour time difference between New Zealand and Indonesia. Their hard work resulted in a successful event. Vodjo hopes to foster future collaborations focusing on technology, aiming to spread awareness of AI, particularly among the Indonesian community.
Webinar Highlights
Business Transformation in the AI Era
The application of AI in business has exceeded the boundaries of imagination, from process automation to customer personalization. AI has become a key enabler for enhancing efficiency, driving innovation, and achieving a competitive edge.
- Operational Efficiency: AI automates repetitive and time-consuming tasks such as data entry, document processing, and customer service. This allows companies to optimize resources, reduce costs, and increase productivity. For instance, Gojek and Grab use AI to optimize driver routes and order allocations.
- Deep Customer Insights: AI enables businesses to comprehensively analyze customer data, uncover hidden patterns, and predict behaviors. This deeper understanding allows companies to deliver personalized experiences, boost customer loyalty, and drive sales.
- Product and Service Innovation: AI helps companies develop innovative new products and services. For example, Netflix uses AI to recommend movies and TV series based on user preferences, while Spotify creates personalized music playlists.
The Impact of AI on the Workforce
The advent of AI has sparked concerns about the replacement of human jobs. However, rather than fully replacing humans, AI is projected to collaborate with humans, creating more efficient and productive hybrid work models.
While some jobs, especially those that are repetitive and manual, are vulnerable to automation, AI also creates new job opportunities in AI system development, implementation, and maintenance. To adapt to these changes, it is essential for the workforce to upskill and enhance their competencies in technology, particularly in AI-related fields.
This topic was also addressed in the webinar. Ihshan highlighted the need to assess workers’ understanding of this technology to address skill gaps. Governments and educational institutions must actively provide training and education programs aligned with industry needs.
The Future of AI: Opportunities and Challenges
The future of AI is expected to advance rapidly, driven by innovations in quantum computing, the Internet of Things (IoT), and robotics. AI will become increasingly integrated into daily life, from smart homes and autonomous vehicles to personalized healthcare.
However, AI advancements also present ethical and social challenges that must be anticipated. Data security, privacy, and potential biases in AI algorithms are critical issues requiring serious attention.
Case Studies in Indonesia
In Indonesia, AI adoption is also growing across various sectors. Examples include:
- Telkom Indonesia: Using AI to improve customer service through virtual assistants and chatbots.
- Bank BCA: Implementing AI to detect fraud and enhance transaction security.
- Tokopedia: Leveraging AI for personalized product recommendations and improving user shopping experiences.
- Halodoc: Using AI for online medical consultations and preliminary diagnoses.
Conclusion
Artificial Intelligence has revolutionized various fields, opening new opportunities for progress and innovation. By understanding its potential and challenges, and preparing adequately, we can harness AI to create a better future for businesses and human life.
Source:
- https://www.aimpathy.co.nz/
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/ihshan-gumilar/
