AI, the Economy, and the Future, from the Perspective of a Young Engineer | An Interview with Vincent Aldy Hermawan

There’s no doubt that AI is transforming industries all across the world. Companies are utilizing the tool to improve operational efficiency, gain deeper insights into markets, and enhance workplace productivity by automating time-consuming tasks and supporting employees in making more informed decisions. To further understand the rapid evolution of AI through the eyes of a young Indonesian engineer, we spoke with Vincent Aldy Hermawan, a Robotics Engineering undergraduate student who has closely observed how AI interacts with industry, policy, and national development.

AI’s Influence on the Future Job Market

The rise of AI has raised concerns about job displacement, but Vincent sees it as a tool that can actually reshape the engineering workforce. “AI reduces company costs by lowering salary expenses and increasing output,” he explains. “With fewer human errors and fewer delays, production becomes more efficient.” To him, AI doesn’t eliminate jobs, but rather changes them.

AI to Boost Productivity

Next, Vincent was asked about his regular use of AI for researching and projects – he says that AI has improved productivity. “Before AI, searching for previous research took a long time,” he says. But now, for students and young professionals, AI has already become a daily tool, due to its ability to scan sources, summarize key ideas, and deliver conclusions quickly, freeing up more time to actually read and comprehend the material.

Will Indonesia Catch Up?

With the rapid advancement of AI, developing nations such as Indonesia are faced with a critical question: will AI help them catch up technologically, or rather widen the disparity? Vincent remains skeptical about Indonesia’s ability to match global AI leaders in the near future. “I don’t think Indonesia will catch up soon. Our progress in AI lags behind,” he admits. According to him, technologies and inventions that Indonesia sees as “new” in 2025 have already been implemented in nations like China and Japan several years prior.

Engineers’ Role in Shaping AI Policies

Beyond designing technology, Vincent also believes engineers play a role in how AI is regulated. “I think future engineers provide the technical constraints that prevent policy from drifting into abstraction,” he says. What this means, essentially, is that while policymakers may understand the social impact of AI, only engineers grasp the technical limitations, risks, and capabilities. Good AI regulation requires both sides working side by side.

https://onlinedegrees.sandiego.edu/artificial-intelligence-business/#:~:text=AI%20enables%20businesses%20to%20improve,and%20invoice%20processing%2C%20improving%20productivity.