From a Campus WhatsApp Group to the Policy Table at Google Indonesia!

“Hi everyone I’m Alfian, nice to meet you!”

A bit about me, by day (and sometimes night 😅), I balance three worlds : working full-time as a professional Android programmer, studying Computer Science, and serving as an Advisor for Google Developer Groups on Campus (GDGoC) Binus Online. Yep, that’s right, I’m the former lead who transitioned into an advisory role. It’s a busy life, but I genuinely enjoy it.

It all started with a notification in my “university WhatsApp group”. Amid the usual flood of webinar announcements, one session title caught my eye:

“Future Feature: Take Your Role for the Future.”

As a Computer Science student and Android developer, I was used to seeing AI through a technical lens. But the narrative this program presented felt different: “AI and the World of Work: Can They Coexist?”. In a world where the hype around AI was reaching its peak, that question felt both timely and profoundly relevant.

Curiosity led me to join the info session. There, I learned that the program was initiated by Think Policy and Love Frankie that would dive into three big themes:

• AI Literacy & Skill Development
• Inclusive AI in the Workplace
• Ethics & Risks in AI Usage

The goal? To find the Future Feature Youth Ambassadors: four selected students from BINUS University, Universitas Indonesia, and Universitas Multimedia Nusantara who would earn the rare chance to join an AI Policy Roundtable to recommend AI-related policies in Indonesia alongside policymakers and visit Google Indonesia’s office for an exclusive tour.

After the info session, participants were invited to register for a follow-up workshop. I teamed up with three friends, and we needed a team name. Half joking but secretly manifesting it, we called ourselves “OtwGoogle.”

For those who don’t know, “Otw” is popular Indonesian slang for “On The Way.” This wasn’t just a name, it was our prayer and manifestation, a genuine hope that we would actually get to set foot in Google’s office.

We discussed, exchanged ideas, and tried to dissect complex AI issues from our perspective as a generation growing up with technology. Long story short, after the selection process came the news we’d been hoping for…

Team “OtwGoogle” was selected!

Representing BINUS University as one of the Future Feature Youth Ambassadors felt surreal. A name that started as a joke had somehow turned into a prophecy.

It was a huge honor to be one of the Future Feature Youth Ambassadors, representing BINUS University. It still felt surreal, a name that started as a joke had somehow turned into a prophecy.

A month later, the moment we had been waiting for finally arrived, we stepped into the Google Indonesia office.

In that instant, our team name felt like more than just a joke, it was a prophecy fulfilled. We were there not just for a tour, but for a mission: to voice the youth’s perspective in the AI Policy Roundtable.

During the roundtable, we were asked to split into new teams with students from other universities. Even so, sitting at the same table with policymakers, the very people whose decisions will shape Indonesia’s tech landscape, was an extraordinary experience.

Was I nervous? Absolutely. But the sense of responsibility outweighed everything else.

It was there that I truly felt the importance of bridging two worlds: the world of students, filled with fresh, future-shaping ideas, and the world of policymakers, entrusted with designing that very future.

1. The Youth Voice Matters.
   We often see ourselves as passive users of technology. But in that room, our concerns and ideas were genuinely heard. As those who interact with AI every day, we hold a unique perspective — one that’s crucial to ensuring that policies remain not only relevant but also fair and grounded.
   
   
2. AI Is a Human Issue, Not Just a Technical One.
   The deep discussions around ethics, inclusivity, and risk made me realize that every line of code I write carries human implications. Who benefits? Who gets left behind? These questions now echo in my mind every time I build or design a product.
   
   
3. Collaboration Is the Only Way Forward.
   The challenges and opportunities of AI are far too complex for any single group to tackle alone. Seeing experts from government, industry, and academia come together reaffirmed one truth: a responsible AI future can only be built through continuous dialogue and genuine collaboration.
   
   A particularly memorable moment came near the end of the session when Muriel Makarim, Country Marketing Manager for Google Indonesia, shared valuable insights into Google’s marketing strategies in Indonesia, especially around its latest AI innovation, Gemini.

My journey with Future Feature 2025 has officially come to an end, marked by a simple participation certificate, yet filled with unforgettable lessons. But its impact is only just beginning.

This experience gave me more than knowledge, it gave me a sense of ownership and responsibility for the future of technology in my country. Most importantly, it reminded me that even the simplest dreams can come true, if we dare to take the first step.

A huge thanks to the teams at Think Policy and Love Frankie and to everyone behind this meaningful program who I can’t mention one by one.💖

To all my fellow students and tech enthusiasts, never underestimate the power of your voice and your dreams.

Take a seat at the table, because the future is being written by all of us🚀

Editor’s Note: The following story was originally published by Achmad Alfiansyah on Medium in October 2025 and is republished here with permission.