Talent is Increasingly Difficult to Find

KOMPAS/SAMUEL OKTORA

Lecture at the Padjadjaran University Informatics Engineering Undergraduate Study Program at the Jatinangor Campus, Sumedang Regency, West Java, Thursday (9/5/2019). In the third year of this study program, there are specialization options, including robotics, artificial intelligence, internet for everything, and data (RAID), as well as information and multimedia systems.

The manager acknowledged that he was assiduously monitoring the graduates of a number of universities. He was scrambling to get the best talent in information technology and computer programming. The need for human resources in this field is very high, while the supply is minimal.

"I no longer look at the origins of the universities. As soon as I get candidates, I take them. Then, they participate in training here. After a few months, we assess their capacity,” said a startup manager when discussing the search for talent amid the scarcity of competent graduates.

Some time ago, the government mentioned that 600,000 people would be needed for technology jobs yearly but that only 100,000 people were available. The shortage of digital technological talent by 2030 is estimated to reach 9 million people.

"This has been a problem for six years. I once raised it with the government. Graduates from pure universities are unreliable. We really lack technological talent," said Daily Social CEO Rama Mamuaya after explaining to Kompas the problem of the availability of technological talent.

The availability and quality of technological talent is their concern.

This talent shortage has also been acknowledged by a number of start-ups in Indonesia. They identified this problem long ago. The availability and quality of technological talent is their concern.

A number of start-ups have tried to improve their talent through internal training. The development of artificial intelligence systems and technology does require workers with various skills. DANA chief technology officer Norman Sasono said the academic skills needed to develop artificial intelligence systems consisted of knowledge of statistics, probability, business management and software engineering. The personal skills required were the ability to always learn new things and make decisions.

"In Indonesia, not many academic institutions offer these abilities in one package," said Norman Sasono.

KOMPAS/HENDRA A SETYAWAN

Sophia, a robot supported by artificial intelligence (AI) technology that was activated in 2016 and created by the Hong Kong-based company Hanson Robotics, takes part in a special interview with the media at the 2019 Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Global Dialogue in Jakarta on Monday (16/9/2019). Sophia represents AI technology of the future, when humans and robots can work together in various fields. The robot, which can make dozens of human facial expressions, is expected to be smart enough to help humans in the fields of medicine, education and scientific research. According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the use of robots in 2020 is estimated to reach 3 million units or a threefold increase over the last 10 years.

Traveloka chief technology officer Ray Frederick said that the readiness of skilled workers to develop artificial intelligence innovations was one of the things that needed to be optimized in the country. Therefore, he said, his company welcomed the opportunity to work together in developing the capacity and capability of human resources.

OVO head of corporate communications Harumi Supit said the development of human resources capable of understanding and managing artificial intelligence needed attention.

"The use of artificial intelligence technology can automate certain business processes that previously had to be done manually. Artificial intelligence also helps analyze and improve work efficiency," Harumi said.

Because they have to get quality people, there is no other path for start-ups than to increase the capacity of digital talent. They build training centers and academies to educate and train recruits.

Tokopedia senior vice president of engineering Herman Widjaja said the company had Tokopedia Academy as an ongoing effort to support the availability of digital talent in the country. Through conferences, workshops and partnerships with the government and universities, Tokopedia Academy developed digital talent.

Collaboration

Tokopedia also continues to focus on developing Indonesia\'s digital talent and advancing its digital ecosystem through various collaborations, such as through the START Summit, Tech A Break, the UI AI Center of Excellence and the Tech MBA Scholarship.

AFP/KAZUHIRO NOGI

Sony\'s latest entertainment robot "aibo" is displayed during a press preview at the company\'s headquarters in Tokyo on November 1, 2017. Japanese electronics giant Sony is marking the year of the dog by bringing back to life its robot canine -- packed with artificial intelligence and internet capability.

Gojek vice president of data science Syafri Bahar said the company collaborated with many parties to develop abilities and skills for digital talent in Indonesia. Various programs are carried out for internal employees under the GoLearn program, which encourages Gojek employees to share their experience with their colleagues.

Externally, they participate in several programs, including GoAcademy, which seeks to develop technology talent for careers in technology companies through programs facilitated by Gojek employees. Through this GoAcademy program, Gojek wants to shape the characteristics of technological talents who have strong learning abilities, who are able to quickly learn to use new technology.

Meanwhile, through the Bangkit program, Gojek, in cooperation with Google and three other unicorns in Indonesia, wants to produce world-quality technology talent for six months.

Through the Upscale program, Gojek invites the best students in the field of technology science to get exposure to the implementation of technology at Gojek. Meanwhile, through the Bangkit program, Gojek, in cooperation with Google and three other unicorns in Indonesia, wants to produce world-quality technology talent for six months.

Gojek Xcelerate is Gojek\'s initiative to encourage the growth of the local startup industry so that it can compete globally by providing material and knowledge directly from the curriculum created by the Gojek team. Furthermore, Data Science Meet Up provides a forum for the data science community to collaborate and share the development of the use of artificial intelligence with the public.

KOMPAS/PRAYOGI DWI SULISTYO

Multimedia Nusantara University provides an Artificial Intelligence laboratory so students can learn to understand the information technology-based artificial intelligence development work system, Tuesday (4/9/2018) in Tangerang, Banten.

Halodoc chief product officer Alfonsius Timboel added that in line with the increasing demand for experts in artificial intelligence and technology, which continued to grow, the government should help ensure that the curriculum in higher education was supportive so that every graduate immediately contributed to the industry. He said this method would be able to shorten the time it took to learn new things and adapt.

(This article was translated by Hyginus Hardoyo)