Gibran urges santri to adapt to AI and robotic technology
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka urged santriwan and santriwati to be adaptive to developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics.
He spoke during a visit to observe AI and robotics training for santri at Pondok Pesantren (Ponpes) Baitul Arqom Al-Islami, Kabupaten Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday, to directly see how technology is being used in learning within the pesantren environment.
The visit aligns with the Astacita initiative of President Prabowo Subianto, particularly in strengthening high-quality human resources and improving inclusive, technology-based education, including in pesantren, to prepare the younger generation for the era of digital transformation.
During the visit, the Vice President saw various robotics projects being developed by the santri, including a robot that automatically dispenses water for ablution, a two-legged walking robot, and robots for competitions such as sumo robots and football-playing robots.
“We have just reviewed several students who are learning to build robots and also study AI. There was a robot that dispenses water for ablution automatically, a robot that can walk on two legs, a sumo robot and a football-playing robot that can be competed with,” he said.
“Earlier, the female students were also learning AI. I emphasise the importance of santriwan and santriwati to keep up with the times. If the santri have good morals and good teaching, it will be even better if they can master technologies such as AI and robotics,” he added.
The Vice President explained that technology education at pesantren is not intended to make all santri into programmers, but to train critical thinking and innovative thinking.
“Coding trains young people to think critically, to think computationally. This is very important because competition in the future will be increasingly tight. I do not want the santri of this pondok to fall behind,” he said.
Gibran also noted that the various robotics projects showcased are still at a basic stage, but have great potential for further development.
“What was learned is still basic, but this can be developed further. Robots like these have annual competitions, so their innovations can be continually enhanced,” he added.
In addition to addressing the santri, the Vice President also left a message for teachers to continually update their knowledge amid rapid technological development.
“The pace of technological development is very fast. Teachers must not fall behind their students,” the Vice President said.
“Integrating modern technology with Islamic values at pesantren can be done without erasing the spirit of pesantren education. The key is to make technology a tool to strengthen knowledge, morals, and dawah,” he stated.
He explained that santri continue to study the traditional kitab kuning, but are supported by the use of digital technology such as PDFs of the texts, digital dictionaries, and the use of digital learning devices such as smart TVs and digital projectors.
“Alhamdulillah, the santri response to AI learning has been very good and they are very enthusiastic about the lessons. One application, for example, is producing Arabic muhadathah videos in 3D animation,” he explained.
The pesantren authorities also hope that the government will continue to promote AI across various circles, as technology is seen as having many benefits for the development of education and dawah in the future.