IHCBS 2026 Aims to Equip Indonesian Workforce for AI Era

The Indonesia Human Capital and Beyond Summit (IHCBS) 2026 is pushing for a paradigm shift in human resource (HR) management to turn it into a driver of national productivity amidst the acceleration of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation. Yunus Triyonggo, Chairman of the Steering Committee for the National Human Capital Movement (GNIK), stated that Indonesian labour productivity still lags behind other ASEAN countries, sitting approximately 10 per cent below the regional average. “Compared to Malaysia, one hour of work by our workers in Indonesia generates 13–15 US dollars. Malaysia is already at 26–27 US dollars,” Yunus said in a statement in Jakarta on Thursday. According to him, this gap indicates that improving the quality of human resources cannot be achieved through conventional education and training alone. Strengthening competencies must be accompanied by the ability to create added value, adapt to technology, and boost productivity. IHCBS 2026 is scheduled to take place on 15–16 September 2026. The organisers are targeting around 6,000 participants, nearly double the number of the previous event. The agenda will be linked to a human resource development blueprint focusing on two key areas: employability and entrepreneurial capability. “Every year we will update what has been done and what the main targets are that we must pursue,” Yunus said. Over the two previous years, IHCBS claims to have reached approximately 300,000 human resources across Indonesia through various competency development programmes, including free AI training for more than 20,000 people. This year, the organisers are also preparing a book where materials and ideas emerging during the forum will be compiled with the help of AI before being verified by experts. IHCBS 2026 carries the theme “Harnessing Human-Centric AI and Digitalization to Unlock Next-Level Productivity”. The theme positions AI and digitalisation not as replacements for humans, but as instruments to enhance human capacity and productivity. There are three main elements to be brought together: people, technology, and purpose. Technology must be directed towards a clear purpose, namely increasing productivity and welfare, while remaining supported by human resource capabilities. Consequently, IHCBS 2026 will expand its agenda from seven to eight tracks, present sessions discussing practical skills, and provide a Digitalization Zone involving around 100 solution providers in the fields of HR, AI, and digitalisation. Yunus added that the pentahelix approach is being strengthened through the involvement of government, business, academia, media, and communities. “We want to build unity among HR managers,” he said. This collaboration is directed at addressing unresolved issues, including the gap between industry needs and the competencies of graduates from vocational schools, polytechnics, and universities.