AI Won't Wait: Are You Ready to Become a Digital Talent?

Digital transformation has entered a phase that is far more rapid than just a few years ago. Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, Cyber Security, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are no longer mere technological trends but have become the new foundation across various industrial sectors. Companies are now racing to digitalise to remain competitive, and consequently, the demand for digital talent continues to rise. Unfortunately, this growing demand has not been matched by the availability of human resources with competencies that meet industry needs. Various reports indicate that professions such as Software Engineer, AI Engineer, Data Engineer, Cloud Engineer, and Cyber Security Specialist are among the most promising and most sought-after jobs. This phenomenon should be a key consideration for the younger generation currently deciding on their educational and career paths. Amidst such rapid change, choosing a field of study can no longer be based solely on popularity; the choice must be able to address future needs. I view Informatics as a discipline with very high relevance to the development of the digital industry. However, Informatics today is not just about learning to make computer programmes or writing lines of code. Its essence is much broader: building a logical way of thinking, problem-solving skills, and creating technology-based solutions that benefit society. A modern Informatics graduate is required to understand how AI works, how digital systems are designed securely, how data is processed into valuable information, and how technology can improve an organisation’s efficiency and productivity. These are the competencies increasingly sought by the professional world. As Universitas Nusa Mandiri (UNM), a Digital Business Campus, we see that higher education has a responsibility to prepare graduates who not only master theory but are also ready to face real-world challenges in the industry. For this reason, UNM’s Informatics Study Programme, which has achieved ‘Excellent’ accreditation, continues to develop a curriculum that is adaptive to global technological developments. Students are equipped with various strategic competencies, including software engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, cloud computing, and cyber security. Learning is also directed towards solving real case studies so that students become accustomed to thinking critically, innovatively, and collaboratively. However, technical competence alone is not enough. The industrial world also requires experience. That is why UNM presents the 3+1 Internship Experience Programme (IEP), which provides students with the opportunity to gain professional experience through internships and industry-based learning with hundreds of partner companies. This experience serves as crucial preparation, enabling graduates to adapt more quickly when entering the workforce. I believe the future belongs not only to those who can use technology but to those who can create technology and deliver solutions to the various problems faced by society. AI can indeed automate many jobs, but AI still requires humans who can design, develop, supervise, and perfect it. This is where the role of Informatics graduates becomes increasingly strategic. They are not merely technology users but innovators who will determine the direction of technological development in the future. Therefore, I invite the younger generation to view Informatics as a long-term investment. Do not just be a spectator amidst the rapid digital revolution. Prepare yourselves to become talents capable of leading change, creating innovation, and delivering solutions for society. In an era where technology evolves daily, the best decision is to start learning today. Because Indonesia’s digital future needs more innovators than just technology users.