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The exponential advancement of technology and heightened media presence have spotlighted Artificial Intelligence (AI) for global attention. There is a degree of doubt arising from it due to the fear of overreliance, but industry innovators and leaders may see this as an opportunity to take a crucial leap forward.
The Edinburgh Business School (EBS) of Heriot-Watt University Malaysia (HWUM) welcomed Mr Kamarul a Muhamed, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Aerodyne Group, for the MBA CEO Faculty Lecture Series on Saturday, 18 November 2023, where he enlightened the audience with his lecture on 'Leadership in the New Era of AI.'
Mr. Kamarul is among the many influential and respected business figures featured in the MBA CEO Faculty Lecture Series to share their expertise and insights on the industry, particularly on how to have a positive impact and shape the nation's future through capital projects and strategic investments.
The event commenced with an introductory section, where Mr Kamarul revealed his journey with Aerodyne Group. As an accountant by trade, Mr Kamarul dipped his toes into the tech industry in 2014. From a 3-person startup, Mr Kamarul had successfully transformed Aerodyne into a globally reputable company, with a presence in over 30 countries within 6 years. Now, the Aerodyne Group has grown significantly, with 90% of its business conducted outside Malaysia.
One key takeaway he shared was the powerful notion of believing in something and constantly testing the limits. He also highlighted the importance of change and being aware of those changes to adapt. As leaders of the future, one must always be looking for a path forward because, in this day and age, things revolve at such a rapid pace, to the point that a two-year gap in knowledge will already leave you a generation behind.
Mr Kamarul stressed the importance of understanding AI and its capabilities, "AI, Quantum Technology and all these various advancements will change the world landscape. Consequently, it will also impact our leadership and how we do our business in the future. How do we know, and what do we need to do to harness this technology? These are the questions we must ask ourselves and the kind of transformation we must undergo right now because if we don't, there will be a huge digital divide."
In this day and age, technological advancements come hand-in-hand with a company's potential. The tools of the trade will always be there in some shape or form, and they will constantly be improved one way or another. It is essential to understand its presence and potential and continue to learn so that it can be harnessed properly, ethically and effectively.
The talk is then concluded with a group photo to mark the successful end of an eye-opening and educational event.
In an interview, Mr Kamarul commented on the importance of collaborative events like these, "More than ever, the world today requires a strong collaboration between industries and academia. Universities constantly churn out talents to the market, and this partnership is paramount because it lets us provide input regarding the changing requirements and nature of the current industry.
Therefore, this process is crucial in producing talent relevant to the new world.
An MBA student reflected on the lecture, "I believe that our life requires a constant process of learning, unlearning and relearning. Taking this MBA course at Heriot-Watt University allows me to establish connections from other industries and gain insights from different perspectives that will be sure to help me in my own professional journey."