Dr. Ary started his presentation by explaining human civilization is developing very rapidly. These developments include the digitalization aspects of the internet of things, big data, modeling, artificial intelligence, and human-content interaction. "We are currently in a window of time when humans have the potential capacity to solve any problem, such as poverty, ignorance, and disease," he said.

Indonesia has good potential to carry out digital transformation with the largest productive population in Southeast Asia. Behind these advantages, some challenges and obstacles stretch because more than 80% of Indonesia's productive age population are considered unprepared to face the digital transformation.

Dr. Ary then revealed that the village is also facing fundamental changes. According to him, it is estimated that only 30% of the people will not urbanize and choose to live in 500 thousand villages in Indonesia. Even so, they will have access to 60 types of natural resources that are a big part of the life of this nation.

"We have to make sure our villages are able to survive and adapt towards digital transformation," he said. One of the characteristics of digital transformation that he highlighted is the ease of consuming digital products in this era.

To utilize it optimally, PPTIK ITB collaborates with local governments, industry, vocational schools, and universities in building simple small systems. As the spearhead, PPTIK ITB seeks to develop vocational human resources through the "SMK Membangun Negeri dengan IOT" program. Dr. Ary hopes that Indonesians can utilize this joint partnership to achieve a gradual and sustainable digital transformation of the village.

Reporter: Sekar Dianwidi B. (Rekayasa Hayati, 2019)
Translator: Billy Akbar Prabowo (Metallurgical Engineering 2020)