AI in the Industry: Real Applications in a Rapidly Changing Landscape

This exclusive interview series dives into the real-world applications of AI in niche verticals, highlighting how digital transformation is redefining work and entire industries.

In a field filled with buzzwords like “AI-driven automation” and “low-code/no-code platforms,” Berns Lim, Chief Automation Officer at WunderWaffen, stands out as a pragmatic leader. Known for deploying AI solutions that boost efficiency and cut operational costs, Berns shares his forward-looking insights on AI, automation, and the evolving tech workforce.

From the Military to Marketing to AI Leadership

Q: Your journey is unique—from the Singaporean Army to door-to-door sales to automation leadership. What ties it all together?
Lim: Every chapter has shaped who I am. The army instilled discipline and teamwork, while door-to-door sales taught me resilience and people skills. Selling insurance sharpened my financial planning knowledge. COVID-19 was a turning point—I pivoted to digital marketing, completing a government-funded diploma in six months. That’s when I saw technology’s power to transform. All those experiences—strategy, adaptability, people skills—led me to automation. It’s all about amplifying human potential.

Autonomous AI and Low-Code Tools Will Lead the Shift

Q: What’s the next big tech shift on the horizon?
Lim: Autonomous AI agents are going to be game-changers. They’ll manage complex, multi-step business processes with minimal oversight. AI will move from handling basic queries to drafting reports and guiding business pivots. Low-code/no-code platforms will democratize this power, allowing non-tech users to build their own AI tools. At WunderWaffen, we’re driving this shift in APAC.

AI Literacy, Prompt Engineering, and Business Acumen Are Must-Have Skills

Q: Beyond coding, what skills will future tech professionals need?
Lim: AI literacy is essential—not just how it works, but how to use it ethically and effectively. Prompt engineering is also critical; crafting the right inputs for AI is becoming as important as coding. And don’t forget business acumen—without strategy, tech is just noise. You need to understand real business needs.

AI’s Role Will Evolve Toward Predictive and Self-Learning Models

Q: How will AI’s role change in automation?
Lim: We’re moving toward self-learning models that evolve through feedback. At WunderWaffen, we’re embedding AI into workflows to enhance productivity without disrupting operations. The goal is to make AI invisible, yet incredibly impactful.

Debunking Automation Myths: It’s About Empowerment, Not Elimination

Q: People fear automation. How do you address that, especially with small businesses?
Lim: Automation is misunderstood. It’s not about eliminating jobs—it’s about freeing people from repetitive tasks so they can focus on meaningful work. For small businesses, automation is a superpower. It allows them to scale without scaling headcount.

A Four-Day Workweek? It’s Possible with Smart Automation

Q: You believe automation can lead to a four-day workweek. How?
Lim: Absolutely. It’s not about doing less—it’s about doing more in less time. With automation handling routine tasks, teams can focus on creative and strategic work. We’ve seen this firsthand. The result: better work-life balance and higher productivity.

Ethics and Compliance Are Core to Responsible AI

Q: How does WunderWaffen ensure ethical AI?
Lim: Ethics guide everything we do. We emphasize transparency, minimize model bias, and ensure strong data security. With evolving regulations like the EU AI Act, we’re staying ahead. Trust and responsibility are non-negotiable.

Balancing Innovation and Risk Through a Culture of Experimentation

Q: How do you balance innovation with risk?
Lim: We follow a “fail fast, fix fast” philosophy—piloting projects before full deployment. Risk assessments and employee training are key. The biggest risk isn’t adopting AI—it’s ignoring it and falling behind.

Case Study: Legal Tech Transformation in Indonesia

Q: Any example of successfully integrating disruptive tech?
Lim: We helped Bursa Hukum, a legal marketplace in Indonesia, embrace AI. Initial resistance was high, especially over accuracy concerns. We ran training sessions, used hybrid models for quality assurance, and refined systems with real feedback. The result? Lead generation time dropped significantly.

Final Thoughts: Practical AI, Not Just Hype

Lim: The future belongs to companies that move beyond the AI label and actually integrate it with purpose. It’s not about using the most advanced tools—it’s about aligning them with business goals and serving people. Tech professionals must keep learning, stay curious, and use AI to enhance—not replace—human capabilities.

Explore more interviews from our AI in the Industry series.