Technological advancements in the digital era have transformed various aspects of life, including business and banking.
Younger generations must be prepared and equipped with the proper knowledge to keep pace with these rapidly evolving dynamics.
“Technology brings major changes and creates new opportunities. Not trying means falling behind,” asserted BCA Director Santoso before hundreds of students at the “BCA Berbagi Ilmu” public lecture themed Digitalization & Its Impact Toward Business, held at the Sukadji Ranuwihardjo Auditorium, UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB), on Wednesday (Apr. 30).
To support his statement on digital transformation in business, Santoso revealed that over 80 percent of BCA’s transactions currently occur through digital platforms, including the internet and mobile banking.
On this occasion, Santoso shared three principles he considered essential for navigating the digital era.
First, individuals within a company must be able to identify emerging technologies that can shift customer behavior.
He cited integrated storage systems such as the cloud, the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), 5G connectivity, and digital payment systems as key drivers of future business.
“The principle is simple: create better, faster, and more cost-efficient value,” he added.
Second, he encouraged the younger generation to experiment boldly with technology and not be afraid of failure.
He believes that appropriate technological solutions emerge from continuous learning and alignment with customer needs.
Santoso described the evolution of digitalization in banking, from the ATM era to internet and mobile banking, and now to digital collaboration through applications like MyBCA.
These innovations, he explained, are the result of ongoing experimentation and adaptation to customer preferences, ensuring convenience.
Lastly, Santoso emphasized that technology always comes with challenges, particularly in terms of data privacy, cybersecurity, digital literacy, and infrastructure gaps across different regions.
“Risks like online fraud are continually mitigated through consumer education, including our Rethink Before Click campaign, which aims to raise awareness of malware threats,” he explained.
Despite rapid digital transformation, Santoso added that human interaction remains essential.
Customers still feel more satisfied when served with human warmth.
Therefore, he reminded students not to fear technological advancement.
“Behind every technological innovation, the human role remains the primary driving force,” he said.
UGM Vice-Rector for Human Resources and Finance, Professor Supriyadi, also remarked that digitalization is an inevitability that must be wisely addressed by the younger generation, including UGM students.
“We hope UGM students continue to broaden their perspectives and eventually contribute significantly to advancing Indonesia’s human resources in this era of digital transformation,” he said.
Author: Bolivia Rahmawati
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Lazuardi