AI Begins Transforming the World of Work — Are Overseas Graduates Still a Priority?

Article Written By: Soraya S. A. (Directorate of Public and Alumni Relations)

Melbourne, Saturday, 9 May 2026

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace and business world is driving significant changes in how people work, make decisions, and build businesses. Technology once viewed merely as a supporting tool is now playing an increasingly important role in accelerating workflows, improving efficiency, and creating new opportunities across various industries.

In response to these developments, the Indonesian Students Association in Australia (PPI Australia) held the first edition of PPIA Talks with the theme:

“How Far Is AI Transforming the World of Work and Business?”

The event was conducted online via Zoom on Saturday, 9 May 2026, at 2:00 PM WIB, serving as a discussion platform for Indonesian students in Australia to better understand how AI is shaping the future of careers, business, and students’ readiness to face an evolving professional landscape.

Speakers

The inaugural edition of PPIA Talks featured three speakers from diverse professional backgrounds:

1. Riel Tasmaya — CEO of Indozone Media

2. Patrick Effendy — Intellectual Property Producer

3. Tommy Teja — Co-Founder of AICO (AI Community Indonesia)

Over the course of approximately two and a half hours, the speakers shared practical and strategic insights into the use of AI in business, the creative industry, and professional career development.

AI in Business

From a business perspective, Riel Tasmaya highlighted how AI enables companies to work faster and more efficiently. According to him, AI not only functions as a supporting tool but also enhances decision-making through data, insights, and increased operational speed.

“As an entrepreneur, I believe AI is extremely helpful in creating a more efficient cost structure in terms of both money and people. With AI, human resources can work more multitaskingly. For example, journalists who previously only wrote articles can now also create social media content and designs directly.”

Challenges in the Creative Industry

Meanwhile, Patrick Effendy discussed AI from the perspective of the creative industry and intellectual property. He emphasized that AI presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly regarding creativity, ownership of ideas, originality, and copyright protection.

“From a legal standpoint, AI is viewed merely as a tool. However, we also need to consider the ethical aspect. AI can imitate other people’s works — from brush strokes and color choices to shadows. Without ethical standards, copyright issues may arise.”

The Importance of Adaptability

From the perspective of community and skill development, Tommy Teja stressed the importance of adaptability in the AI era. According to him, students and younger generations should not only understand AI as a trend but also use it strategically to improve productivity, creativity, and competitiveness.

“As our business grows, our briefs become more complex. So it’s no longer about working harder, but working smarter and using systems so we can scale up.”

Indonesian Students in the AI Era

In his opening remarks, PPIA President 2026, Muhammad Hadiyan Ridho, stated that Indonesian students need to understand the changing direction of the workforce amid the rise of AI.

“Indonesian students need to understand the current and future perspectives of the workforce in the presence of AI.”

The discussion also addressed an important question for Indonesian students studying abroad: are international degrees and overseas experiences still enough to remain competitive in the AI era?

Through the speakers’ insights, PPIA Talks emphasized that overseas graduates still hold significant advantages, particularly in critical thinking, cross-cultural experience, communication, and adaptability. However, these strengths now need to be complemented by the ability to understand and utilize AI technologies effectively.

Participant Engagement

Participants showed strong enthusiasm during the Q&A session, discussing topics ranging from career opportunities in the AI era, changing industry demands, the use of AI in business, and concerns about jobs potentially being replaced by technology.

This demonstrated that AI is no longer a distant issue for students, but rather an essential part of preparing for the professional world.

As its inaugural edition, PPIA Talks marked the first step by PPI Australia in creating discussion platforms relevant to current global developments. Through this initiative, Indonesian students in Australia are expected not only to observe technological change, but also to take an active role in shaping more adaptive careers, businesses, and industries in the AI era.