Innovative Disruption

Artificial intelligence is one of the technologies our future smart devices will boast. Samsung Research and Development Indonesia’s Alfred Boediman tells us how Indonesia will contribute to the technologies of tomorrow, writes Mariel Grazella 37

lfred boediman is not your typical researcher or corporate boffin. Skin etched with dragon tattoos, the Netherlandsborn engineer is looking to disrupting global technology from within Indonesia. “We believe in glocalization: from Indonesia and for Indonesia with a global reach,” he says.

The Porsche lover is well positioned to put the country on the international innovation map. As Vice President of Samsung Research and Development Indonesia (SRIN), Alfred directly reports to Samsung’s leaders sitting in the South Korean tech giant’s headquarters.

“As part of Samsung’s global research and development family, SRIN is one of the 20+ Samsung R&D centres around the world that strives to support the company’s cutting-edge technologies through unique and specialised core competencies,” he says.

He adds that technologies that the local centre has worked on have included data analytical software found in Samsung’s smart consumer appliances, such as televisions and refrigerators. The team of roughly 150 people is also supporting Bixby, an artificial intelligence (AI) software embedded in the Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8 smart phones and tablets.

“I believe that AI will remain as one of the championing global trends of next year,” he says, noting that the advancement of AI will lead to the birth of technologies that will transform smartphones beyond just tools for communication. “AI is making every interface both simple and smart, setting a high bar for how future experiences will work,” he says.

To drive innovation onwards and outwards, a company must first be innovative from within. Alfred points out that he has put a lot of effort into building a culture that nurtures innovation, such as through open management practices.

“What I have learned so far based on personal experience is to break conventional leadership models,” he says. “Being a visionary goes beyond communicating the ‘what’ and should reflect on the ‘why’ also.”

Furthermore, he believes in not allowing setbacks to dampen his zest for keeping on learning and trying. “It is immensely satisfying to eventually shed old uncertainties and begin learning again,” he says.

Establishing a more open culture is critical, he adds, especially when convincing Indonesians overseas to return and work in the country, and in the recruitment and retention of millennials who now form the majority of his team.

“The number-one challenge for us is still people. Trying to get experienced staff is not easy,” he says, pointing out that once trained, some people inevitably chose to leave and set up their own companies.

However, when it’s time to take a break from breaking convention, the 946 Emporio Armani Vespa fan who enjoys riding across Bali hits the kitchen to test his culinary chops. “I just love going over to the stove and cooking something that will not only take my stress away, but also give me something to eat as well,” he shares.

“I believe that artificial intelligence will remain as one of the championing global trends of next year.”