AI Transforms the World of Work, Critical Thinking and Creativity Become Essential Skills

The development of artificial intelligence (AI) is predicted to drastically change the landscape of the world of work in the coming years. This phenomenon demands that the education sector adapt, no longer solely fixating on conventional academic achievements, but also strengthening future skills and providing global exposure from an early age. The Future of Jobs Report 2025 from the World Economic Forum (WEF) provides a clear picture of the scale of this transformation. AI technology is expected to touch the majority of business sectors while creating a massive shift in the availability of global jobs. In Indonesia, efforts to build future skills still face significant challenges. Referring to the results of the 2022 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), the Creative Thinking scores of Indonesian students show a wide gap compared to global standards. Only about 5 percent of Indonesian students were able to achieve level 5 or 6, while the OECD country average reached 27 percent. This condition encourages educational institutions such as Alta Global School (AGS) to design a more relevant curriculum. As part of Schoters, AGS focuses on preparing students from elementary to high school levels to enter higher education abroad while honing global competencies. Founder of AGS and CEO of Schoters, Radyum Ikono, emphasised that studying abroad is not merely about pursuing academic reputation. “What is equally important is global exposure and experiences that shape independence, adaptability, and a broad way of thinking to become a competitive global citizen,” he stated. According to Radyum, readiness to face the international world must be cultivated from an early age through a holistic approach. Students are encouraged not only to master the material but also to be solution-oriented through various international projects and competitions. “Achievement is one indicator that students can apply their knowledge into real solutions, through initiative and problem-solving skills,” Radyum added. This strategy has proven effective, with AGS recording that 100 percent of its graduates have successfully continued their studies abroad, and 92 percent of them have obtained scholarships. The implementation of future skills is evident in the achievements of AGS students. Shasa, an eighth-grade student, successfully became a delegate in the Harvard Future Doctors Programme, an international programme where she actively engaged in discussions on biochemistry and advanced medical science foundations. At a younger level, Arsya, a third-grade student, demonstrated that academic and organisational achievements can go hand in hand, actively participating in the student council while collecting various medals at the national level. These successes confirm that amidst the uncertainty of the AI era, a combination of independent learning, mastery of future skills, and exposure to international standards is the main capital for the younger generation to compete on the global professional stage.