Deputy Minister Reveals New Digital Literacy Approach Crucial for AI Era

Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria has stated that a new approach to digital literacy, focusing on utilising connectivity to create innovation and solutions, needs to be adopted more widely in the era increasingly dominated by artificial intelligence. During an audience with the Association of Indonesian Communication Science Lecturers and Researchers in Jakarta on Thursday, Nezar said the digital literacy approach that focused solely on teaching people to connect to the internet is now considered irrelevant and requires a newer approach. “The digital literacy programme is now more about upskilling, enhancing skills that are more contextual and relevant to current developments,” Nezar said. Furthermore, when discussing digital security and digital ethics, digital platforms are now increasingly involved because they no longer just act as connecting platforms but are also being asked to take responsibility for their services. Therefore, a new digital literacy approach is indeed needed to remain relevant to the needs of society and not be left behind by technological developments that are now all about AI. The change in direction of the digital literacy programme is considered an appropriate step and is in line with the direction from the National Development Planning Agency. This is especially pertinent considering the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has been running digital literacy programmes with the same approach for nearly a decade. In addition to focusing on strengthening public capacity to keep pace with digital technology, Nezar said that through the new digital literacy approach being implemented by the Ministry, the public is equipped with the ability to deal with disinformation, misinformation, and hoaxes.