MBA FEB UGM through its HR Club hosted HR Talk: The Augmented Leader on Monday (28/9), bringing together students for a discussion on the evolving role of leadership in the age of artificial intelligence (AI). Held at the Faculty Meeting Room, 5th Floor, MM FEB UGM, the event carried the theme “Redefining Leadership Through AI, Decision Making, and Human Capabilities.”
The session featured Prof. Gugup Kismono, M.B.A., Ph.D., Professor in Psychology and Organizational Behavior at FEB UGM, and Adityo Cahyadi, S.T., M.B.A., Regional Business Support Head, Region 11 Yogyakarta, PT BRI (Persero) Tbk. The discussion explored how AI is transforming the way people work, make decisions, and exercise leadership, while highlighting the continued importance of human capabilities.
Prof. Gugup discussed the growing ability of AI to support various tasks, particularly in data processing and analysis. Activities that previously required considerable time when performed manually can now be completed more efficiently with AI assistance. However, he emphasized that effective AI utilization still depends on human ability to formulate needs, provide appropriate instructions, and understand the quality of the technology being used. Pak GUGUP
Beyond efficiency, Prof. Gugup highlighted the importance of keeping humans in control of technology.
“Machines must not replace humans. Therefore, humans must remain the ones in charge.”
As AI becomes increasingly accessible and capable of supporting a wider range of human activities, he underlined the growing importance of ethics in AI use. Technology, he emphasized, should be developed and utilized to support human capabilities rather than replace human judgment and responsibility.
The discussion was complemented by Adityo Cahyadi’s practical perspective on technology adoption in the banking industry. He shared how digital systems have helped improve operational efficiency, including through a pipeline management system that supports marketers in identifying potential customers. Processes that previously required more time can be carried out more efficiently with technological support. Pak Adit
Despite the increasing role of technology, Adityo emphasized that human judgment remains an essential part of decision-making.
“Ultimately, judgment or the human touch remains very important.”
He further highlighted the importance of maintaining a helicopter view, as not every decision can be delegated to machines. Human perspectives remain necessary to consider broader contexts and determine the appropriate course of action. Pak Adit
The discussion reflected the central idea behind The Augmented Leader: AI is not merely about replacing human work, but about enhancing human capabilities. While AI can accelerate processes and support decision-making, humans remain responsible for providing judgment, setting direction, and ensuring that technology is used responsibly.
Through HR Talk: The Augmented Leader, MBA FEB UGM through its HR Club provided a platform for students to engage with both academic and industry perspectives on leadership in the era of AI. The discussion highlighted that effective leadership in an increasingly AI-driven workplace requires not only technological adaptability, but also strong human capabilities, sound decision-making, and ethical awareness.
