Now, bring artificial intelligence into the picture, and the debate becomes even more fascinating. We live in an age where machines can write poetry, defeat world champions at chess, compose music, create videos, teach mathematics, and even drive cars. But do they truly understand what they’re doing? Or are they simply powerful calculators—imitating intelligence without ever actually thinking?
Dr. Alfred Boediman is a seasoned venture capitalist, financial mathematician, and deep-tech strategist who has spent decades at the intersection of finance, technology, and sustainability—constantly questioning norms and rewriting the rules. From leading impact investment funds in Southeast Asia to pioneering neuro-statistical models for financial markets, he combines rigorous data analytics with behavioral insight to anticipate macroeconomic shifts before they occur. He has served as a trusted advisor to multi-family offices, held senior executive roles at Samsung Electronics, and is an adjunct professor at the University of Chicago. His interests span from cognitive AI to creating wealth from waste. Through his 16 published books—covering investment, risk management, entrepreneurship strategy, AI in education, and even fundamental science such as physics—Dr. Boediman continues to challenge conventional wisdom while demonstrating that even waste holds economic value.
Dr. Ridi Ferdiana is a distinguished academic and expert in software engineering, currently serving as a professor at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Yogyakarta. With a career dedicated to advancing technology and education, he specializes in information systems development methodologies, human–computer interaction, and video game technology. His groundbreaking research includes the development of the Digital Sibling AI Platform, a pioneering initiative in artificial intelligence for personal documentation and decision-making. An accomplished scholar, Prof. Ridi holds multiple degrees in electrical engineering and information technology from UGM, and has earned 148 professional licenses and certifications that reflect his expertise across diverse technological domains. His academic contributions include more than 143 international publications, and he has authored 14 books, with the complete list available at ridilabs.net