Code the Future AI Summit 2026: Empowering Indonesia's Young Generation to Build AI Solutions
The GenDigital Academy (Yayasan Generasi Gerakan Digital) successfully held the peak of the Code the Future AI Summit 2026 on Saturday (23/05/2026) at TCC Batavia Tower One, Jakarta. Collaborating with Skystar Capital and Hacktiv8 Indonesia, this event served as a platform for more than 120 young talents—ranging from students to technology communities—to showcase artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for real-world problems in Indonesia.
The event marked the climax of a two-month national hackathon series. Notably, the programme demonstrated that in 2026, technical barriers are no longer the primary obstacle, as participants were encouraged to build AI solutions even without prior coding experience.
“If there was ever a right time for Indonesia’s youth to start building, that time is now,” stated Isaac Winoto, Founder of GenDigital Academy and Product Manager at Microsoft in the United States. He noted that the accessibility of current AI tools has narrowed the gap between idea and execution, meaning Indonesia’s future will be determined by those brave enough to start today.
Opened by Herman Hermawan (Senior Investment Associate at Skystar Capital) and Dylan Jaya (Vice President of GenDigital Academy), the event also featured a strategic discussion session titled “Future Builders & Leaders Talks”. During this session, Riza Fahmi, Co-Founder & Chief Evangelist of Hacktiv8 Indonesia, alongside Herman Hermawan, discussed methods for transforming raw ideas into sustainable products attractive to venture capital.
Christopher, Head of Communication and Partnerships at Skystar Capital, emphasised the importance of such platforms for scouting digital talent at an early stage. “We believe the development of Indonesia’s digital ecosystem requires more space so that the nation’s best talents can demonstrate their potential,” he said.
The event culminated in a Demo Day, where finalists presented their innovations. Alongside the serious competition, the atmosphere was lightened by an interactive AI Game Show, where participants were challenged to replicate images using AI model prompts. Winners of this session received a three-month subscription to Claude AI to support their further technological exploration.
As the event drew to a close, GenDigital Academy outlined its strategic direction for 2026, with a primary focus on strengthening AI agent literacy and building a more inclusive volunteer ecosystem. The event concluded with the announcement of the hackathon winners and the presentation of certificates. Through Code the Future, GenDigital Academy aims to continue inspiring the courage of the younger generation to take a central role in shaping a smarter and more impactful digital future for Indonesia.