On Lee from GDP Discusses the Potential of AI in Indonesia's Technology Industry

This article is part of DailySocial Mastermind Series featuring innovators and leaders in the Indonesian technology industry to share stories and perspectives.

Spending almost more than thirty years in another country, CEO & CTO of GDP Labs as well as CTO of GDP Venture, On Lee finally returned to Indonesia in 2011. Within 10 years, he has succeeded in developing GDP Venture and building GDP Labs from scratch armed with mature experience of wandering. In addition, he previously served as CEO & CTO of Kaskus, the largest Indonesian online community forum in Indonesia.

With more than 30 years of experience in the world of internet, mobile, AI, Blockchain, Semantic Web, Knowledge Graph, consumer and enterprise software development, he has held various management and technical positions as co-founder, CEO, CTO, Executive Vice President of Engineering, and engineer at startups and Fortune 500 companies in the US.

On Lee is very interested in Artificial Intelligence innovations. He studied electrical engineering before finally switching his major to computer science. His belief in the Indonesian technology industry and local technicians inspired him to establish GDP Labs. From 2012 until now, GDP Labs has employed 160 people [mostly engineers] in five cities in Indonesia, Jakarta, Bandung, Bali, Yogyakarta and Surabaya.

Through GDP Venture, as a venture builder, with a focus on digital communities, media, trade and solution companies in the Indonesian consumer internet industry. They have invested in more than 50 portfolios and still counting. Additionally, he has built teams for strategic new product startups at startups and large enterprises in the US, Indonesia, China and India.

DailySocial managed to get his time to share insightful stories along the way entrepreneurship-New.

As CTO of GDP Ventures, also CEO & CTO of GDP Labs, do you think the Indonesian technology industry has the potential to build a global center for high technology and innovation or become a hub?

What we can be certain of is. Digital technology and AI represent a golden opportunity for Indonesia, with its relatively young and vibrant population 260 million people. This country boasts an average productive age of 30 years and a literacy rate of 95 percent. Ecosystem start-up digital Indonesia is primed and ready to follow in the footsteps of other Asian countries such as Japan, India, Taiwan, Korea and China which have succeeded in transforming their countries through technology. They have significantly improved individual skills, living standards and productivity and have been recognized as a major global player in the world. The Indonesian government has many technology initiatives; most universities offer computer science classes; and local and foreign investors are investing heavily in the digital economy, and all of these things have increased during the pandemic.

After migrating for a long time, almost thirty years of studying in Uncle Sam's country. What prompted you to return to Indonesia and start GDP Labs? What is your dream?

I returned to Indonesia for family reasons. Our parents are getting older, and we need to take care of them.

I then discovered a lot of great but still raw software engineering talent in Indonesia. Many of them do not have the opportunity to receive proper training, guidance, etc. Mr. Martin Hartono, CEO at GDP Venture, and I are cultivating some of the brightest and most promising young leaders who will become tech savvy and knowledgeable in business and leadership at GDP Labs. Our efforts show promising initial results.

On Lee at the 2018 GDP Labs Team Building event with Martin Hartono

When did you first experience the technology industry? Is this really the case? passion You?

Initially I majored in electrical engineering, before later switching to majoring in computer science with a minor in mathematics.

One of my hobbies is playing chess. I used to be a professional chess player. I am interested in computer science, mathematics, and chess because they have two things in common: logic and problem solving. This has helped improve my life personally and professionally.

On Lee is playing chess simultaneously with 2 of his technicians

I have read several of your articles related to Artificial Intelligence (AI). What is the reason you believe that technology can be a solution to all the problems in the world?

McKinsey predicts that AI has the potential to increase global economic activity by around USD 13 trillion by 2030. That's right, it is USD 13 trillion. Some experts say that AI is as important as the discovery of fire and electricity. While that may seem like an exaggeration, the bottom line is that AI will be one of the most important technologies humanity has ever discovered, leaving an impact on society and business in truly profound ways. It will most likely have a class of its own. This will become part of our personal lives, in almost every industry. AI will help accelerate global economic recovery and growth and position Indonesia well for the future of the new world before us.

2020 is not an ideal situation for everyone, but do you believe that the country's technology industry plays an important role in the country's recovery?

2020 has been difficult for everyone due to the pandemic causing bankruptcies, unemployment and social problems. In addition to reducing costs, increasing productivity and convenience, technology will help us be safer and healthier. This will help speed up economic recovery.

What about GDP Venture and GDP Labs themselves? Does this situation affect the company's performance significantly?

Of course, no one is immune. We have asked our companies to revise their 2020 plans on how to survive in the short term and thrive in the long term. This pandemic can be likened to a magnifying glass and an accelerator. It highlights what you have done right but also what you have done wrong. We have chosen to accelerate several initiatives. In short, we are trying to adapt.

In terms of investment, do you think Indonesia has a good climate for its technology industry? Do you see changes in the investment landscape before and after the pandemic?

Yes We have pretty good government support. Universities produce many software engineers every year, and there are nearly 200 million Internet users in Indonesia, entrepreneurs, local and foreign investors.

A pandemic is a good form of warning. Startups focus on what is most important to survive and thrive, company valuations and expectations become more realistic. This is an experience that teaches many things.

Multiple GDP portfolios

Sebagai entrepreneur series With over 30 years of experience in the world of technology, you've no doubt been put in a tough situation before. Would you like to share the story of the ups and downs of building a company? And how did you manage to get through those difficult times?

Correct. Timing and luck play a big role in the success or failure of established companies and startups. One of the startups I work with is on track to reach a billion-dollar valuation in Silicon Valley. Unfortunately, the 2008 recession hit the US as well as technical debt problems. The company was sold at a price lower than our expectations even though we still made a profit.

Do you have a role model (mentor) to get through difficult times? Maybe something like that support systems.

What we can be certain of is. I've been fortunate to have help from many people - friends, family, mentors, coworkers, teachers, and even strangers.

Everyone will have a low point in their life. They need it support system to get through difficulties. I haven't seen anyone successfully do it on their own.

Who inspired you to become who you are today? Do you still have unfulfilled dreams?

Many people - technologists, scientists, sportspeople, artists - inspire me. They have the following characteristics: they continuously learn to be able to have broader knowledge in leadership, business, and leaders in their respective domains.

I believe it is important to help the younger generation because many people helped me and gave me opportunities when I was young and inexperienced. There are so many opportunities to disrupt so many fields using technology, while some established companies are still using 20th century technology. Stay healthy.

What do you want to convey to the tech enthusiasts who is still struggling to climb the path to industry but is blocked by the pandemic?

Clarity. Trust. Confidence. Have clarity about what you want to do. Execute with unrelenting trust and confidence. There are hidden opportunities during the pandemic.

Artificial Intelligence is said to be replacing human jobs. As an individual, have you ever thought about the worst-case scenarios that could result from this technology?

AI will replace some existing jobs. But, it will also create new types of jobs; more than that eliminates. Let's look at the following two scenarios.

First, the automobile industry replaced the horse industry. There are more than 1,4 billion cars and just there 58 million horses in today's world. Car industry - production, service, newfound mobility, etc. – has created more jobs than it has eliminated from the horse industry.

Second, there are companies that are implementing AI-powered robots in their warehouses. Many employees are worried about losing their jobs. It turns out that companies are hiring more people because of robots. This may seem counter-intuitive. Why? Because robots are efficient and work 24 hours a day so they produce more; humans become a bottleneck and more humans need to be hired to keep up with the robots. While robots can perform certain tasks, they cannot do everything.

Humans will be free to do more creative work, while technology and AI handle the mechanical work. Additionally, technology and AI free up some of humanity's time so that we can spend our time with other people.

In short, AI enhances human creativity and ultimately makes us more human.

- Original article in English, translated by Kristin Siagian