Ridwan Kamil: Life Formula in the Era of Digital Disruption, Understand AI

Dream - Governor of West Java Ridwan Kamil emphasizes the importance of adapting in the era of digital disruption, in order not to be defeated by Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology.

"I am the leader of West Java, every day I adapt. Currently, I am a generalist, I used to be a specialist in architectural design. Since becoming a leader, I have to be knowledgeable about everything, from inflation to AI," said Ridwan Kamil when he became the keynote speaker at the Indonesia Digital Conference (IDC) 2023 event at Hotel El Royale, Bandung City, on Wednesday, August 23, 2023.

This man, who is familiarly called Kang Emil, revealed that Indonesia is the largest internet user, reaching 204 million per year, and the number of circulating mobile phone numbers is already above 350 million.

Not only that, according to Kang Emil, Indonesia is also the country with the longest mobile phone usage in the world, reaching 5.7 hours per day.

"What's my point? In every disruption, there is a good side and the dark side of dessert. As a leader, I have to encourage the positive side but also prepare defenses against this dark side, and the country must be ready for it," he said.

Kang Emil explained that the digital economy turnover in Indonesia reaches 220 billion dollars.

"Those who used to sell physical products are now learning to sell online. So Indonesia is the country that adapts to digital the fastest. Our country is the fastest in terms of making apps, finding partners, business, and borrowing," he explained.

Kang Emil said that what changes the economic landscape is digital, while the task of a leader is to exclude digital access.

"So I have created many innovations in the villages. There are three disruptions in Indonesia: the Covid-19 pandemic, digital, and climate crisis disruptions," he said.

With AI, imagination becomes limitless, so it can reconstruct visuals that can replace human work processes.

"So if Indonesia wants to be prepared, it must not only manage a 220 billion US dollar economy but also need to have defenses against the dark side of these digital disruptions, especially AI. The formula is simple, everything routine will be replaced by machines," said Kang Emil.

The Indonesia Digital Conference (IDC) and AMSI Awards programs are part of the AMSI cooperation program with Internews and USAID MEDIA to build media business sustainability in Indonesia.

In this year's event, IDC and AMSI Awards also received support from PT Astra International Tbk, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero), Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID), PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, PT Pertamina (Persero), PT Adaro Energy Tbk, PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk, Bank BJB, Harita Nickel, PT XL Axiata Tbk, and Minderoo Foundation.