Empowering blue-collar workers through skill development and automation | Andrew Senduk | TEDxITB

Key Concepts Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Blue-collar workforce, White-collar executives, Smartphone penetration, Industrial Revolution (AI Revolution), "Flip the script," Blue-collar superheroes, AI-powered people, Job matching platforms, Data-driven growers, Logistics analysts.

The Future of AI in Indonesia: A Core Question

The speaker, Andrew Suk, reflects on his five years of building AI solutions for the blue-collar workforce, including a national job-matching application that connected factory workers in Luke Mawe, Sumatra, warehouse workers in Sidoarjo, and servers in Jakarta. Despite the advancements in AI, including tools like ChatGPT, the fundamental question persists: "How will the future of Indonesia's artificial intelligence look like?"

He challenges common futuristic portrayals of AI, such as "Gobots" replacing Gojek drivers, "Transerver Malls" replacing physical malls (highlighting AI's reliance on servers), or VR meetings where AI interprets thoughts without human interaction. Instead, he concludes that the true face of AI in Indonesia is represented by individuals like Pawa.

The Foundation: Indonesia's Blue-Collar Workforce

Pawa, a 55-year-old farmer and gardener in Bali, embodies the typical Indonesian blue-collar worker. He owns an old, cracked smartphone, which, despite its condition, holds immense potential if its power can be unlocked. The speaker emphasizes that Pawa is representative of millions of blue-collar workers across the nation, from Sumatra to Sumba, whom his company has served.

Through a personal anecdote, the speaker recounts encountering 55 blue-collar workers versus only one white-collar executive during his journey from Jakarta, illustrating the sheer prevalence of this demographic. He asserts that blue-collar workers are the "foundation of the economy," especially in Indonesia.

Key Statistics and Characteristics:

• Size: 80 million blue-collar workers in Indonesia.
• Workforce Share: They constitute 60% of the total workforce.
• Economic Contribution: They contribute 40% of Indonesia's GDP.
• Tools: Their primary tool is often an old, cracked, but functional smartphone, not just traditional equipment like brooms.
• Challenges: Despite their numbers, they are generally underpaid, undervalued, and underskilled.

The AI Revolution: Replacement vs. Upgrade

Indonesia stands at the cusp of a new industrial and AI revolution. Media reports frequently project that in the next decade, 20% of repetitive jobs in South Asia could be replaced by AI and machine learning, leading to widespread concern about job displacement. The speaker presents hypothetical scenarios of AI replacing workers:

• Amida: A 32-year-old housekeeper in a five-star Jakarta hotel, potentially replaced by a robot like R2-D2.
• Elda: A 26-year-old cashier in Indomaret, potentially replaced by self-checkout machines and stocking robots.
• Factory Workers: Thousands of factory workers potentially replaced by automation.

Flipping the Script: Creating Blue-Collar Superheroes

The speaker argues that society has an "obligation to flip the script." Instead of asking "how artificial intelligence will replace workers," the focus should shift to "how artificial intelligence can upgrade workers." This paradigm shift aims to create a "new generation of blue-collar superheroes" – individuals capable of achieving far more than their traditional roles suggest.

Smartphones are identified as the key enabler for this transformation. Indonesia boasts over 180 million smartphone users, representing 70% penetration. Even old, cracked smartphones are seen as a "gateway to opportunity" for empowering blue-collar workers.

Real-World Applications: AI in Action

The speaker shares concrete examples from his experience demonstrating how AI is already upgrading blue-collar workers:

• Adid (28-year-old warehouse worker): Previously spent time physically visiting warehouses and queuing for jobs with his CV. By using the speaker's AI/ML-powered job-matching platform, Adid could find numerous job opportunities from home. This led to him paying off his motorcycle and saving for his wedding.
• Subarati (Farmer, West Java): A farmer at a tea plantation, Subarati uses an app to analyze tea leaves for diseases. This application helps him achieve more efficient crops, reduce waste, and improve the farm's business.
• Putri (Housekeeper, Jakarta): A housekeeper at a five-star restaurant, Putri now uses an application to check air quality in rooms, in addition to her cleaning duties. This enhances guest service and makes her more "digital savvy."

These are presented as "real stories" illustrating how AI, combined with education and technology, transforms blue-collar workers into "superheroes."

Building the Future: AI-Powered People

The possibilities for future AI applications for blue-collar workers are "endless," including voice-to-text interfaces and specialized apps for various tasks. The speaker challenges the audience with the question: "What will you build now? What will you build next?"

He provides further examples of how AI can elevate roles:

• Tutang (Car Mechanic): Transforms from a general mechanic to a "safety analyst" by using AI to analyze 500 different data points, determining if a car is safe. This is described as a "game changer."
• Farmers: Become "data-driven growers" through AI, a "game changer."
• Project Drivers: Evolve into "logistics analysts" or "logistics data analysts," another "game changer."

In a powerful call to action, the speaker asks the audience to turn on their phone lights, symbolizing the collective energy and potential. He concludes that if this energy is channeled into building AI applications for blue-collar workers, "the future of Indonesian AI is not just artificial intelligence, it's AI powered people." This focus, he believes, will elevate the nation to the "next level."