Ibas Urges Students to Develop Skills and Adapt to Advances in AI Technology

Perth — Deputy Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono, known as Ibas, urged Indonesian students and young professionals in Australia to keep learning, adapt to changing times and use knowledge to make a tangible contribution to society and the nation.

He made the remarks in the final keynote speech at INFOKAN 2026, themed “Passing Wisdom, Inspiring Tomorrow”, organised by the Western Australia chapter of the Indonesian Students Association in Australia (PPIA WA) and PPIA Curtin.

He said young people should focus on developing their skills and character, have the courage to learn from mistakes, and consistently move forward with clear goals.

Ibas also urged students to make the most of studying abroad to broaden their horizons, build cross-cultural friendships and strengthen professional networks that could serve as bridges for collaboration between Indonesia and Australia.

Drawing on his educational background in finance and e-commerce, he highlighted the major changes taking place in the economy and business as a result of technological advances, including artificial intelligence (AI).

Technology, he said, has changed how people transact, run businesses, access information and create economic value. These changes offer significant opportunities, but also require young people to continually improve their skills and understand their responsibilities when using technology.

He stressed that the ability to produce information quickly is no longer enough to guarantee added value in the workplace.

“What makes us valuable is not simply the ability to produce more information. What matters is the ability to ask the right questions, verify the facts, understand others, exercise sound judgement and turn information into meaningful action,” Ibas said in a statement quoted on Sunday, 11 October 2026.

He also warned that the development of AI must be accompanied by attention to the future of work, privacy protection, ethics and equal access to opportunities.

Students were therefore encouraged not only to prepare for jobs available today, but also to develop the capacity to learn and adapt to professions and challenges that may emerge in the future.