National Technology Awakening Begins When Indonesia Stops Being a Consumer

“Technology is a lever of civilisation. However, only nations that create technology can determine the direction of civilisation.” This statement becomes increasingly relevant as Indonesia commemorates National Technology Awakening Day (Hakteknas). Over the past two decades, Indonesia has shown impressive progress in digital transformation. The number of internet users continues to rise, the digital economy is growing rapidly, public services are increasingly digitised, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to permeate almost every sector of life. From classrooms to boardrooms, from healthcare to manufacturing, technology has become part of daily activity. Yet, behind these achievements lies a paradox that rarely receives attention. The readiness of prevention and mitigation systems to face the dry season remains a question. Indonesia is a highly active user but has not yet become a significant creator. This paradox should be the point of reflection in interpreting Hakteknas. A technological awakening cannot be measured solely by the increasing number of people using digital technology. A true awakening occurs when the nation is capable of producing technology utilised by society, industry, and even the international community. So far, the measure of digital transformation success often stops at the number of internet users, the rise in e-commerce transactions, or the high rate of digital technology adoption. These indicators are important as they show society’s readiness to accept change, but they do not yet reflect a nation’s capacity to master technology. The difference between a nation of users and a nation of creators lies in the added value generated. A user nation benefits from the efficiency and convenience offered by technology. Conversely, a creator nation gains far greater benefits through intellectual property ownership, control of the technology supply chain, development of high-value industries, and the formation of a sustainable innovation ecosystem. The greatest economic value in the digital era lies not in the activity of using technology, but in the ability to create it. The history of global economic development shows a relatively similar pattern. Countries that are now global economic powers succeeded not only in building industry but also in building the capacity to generate new knowledge. The United States developed the internet, semiconductors, and various digital technologies through close collaboration between universities, industry, and government. Japan built its advantage through manufacturing innovation. South Korea transformed through long-term investment in education and research. In the last two decades, China successfully shifted its position from a production base to one of the world’s centres of technological innovation. Their success was not born from abundant natural resources, but because they placed science and innovation as a national development strategy. They understood that technology is not merely a tool to increase productivity, but also an instrument to build economic sovereignty and national competitiveness. Indonesia actually possesses significant capital to take the same path. The demographic bonus remains a strategic opportunity. Indonesia’s digital economy is the largest in Southeast Asia. The number of digital talents continues to grow each year, while the world’s need for AI-based solutions, automation, and green technology continues to increase. This combination is a strong foundation for building an innovation-based economy. The problem lies not in a lack of potential, but in a development orientation that still largely positions Indonesia as a market rather than a centre of technology creation. In fact, the AI revolution presents an unprecedented opportunity. Unlike the industrial revolution, which relied on physical capital ownership and manufacturing capacity, the AI revolution is determined more by the quality of human resources, research capability, data, creativity, and the innovation ecosystem. In other words, a country capable of developing superior talent has the opportunity to leapfrog development without having to repeat all the stages of industrialisation that developed countries went through. Therefore, the most strategic investment in this era is not only the construction of digital infrastructure. High-speed internet networks, data centres, and cloud computing are indeed important prerequisites. However, all this infrastructure will not generate added value if it is not accompanied by the development of human capacity capable of creating new technology. This is where higher education acquires an increasingly decisive role. Universities are no longer sufficient if they only produce graduates capable of operating technology. The world needs graduates who can design systems, develop algorithms, build solutions, and translate science into innovation that provides real benefits. This change demands a transformation in the way we educate. A learning approach that still rigidly separates scientific disciplines is beginning to lose its relevance. The challenges of the future do not present themselves within the boundaries of study programmes. The development of smart cities, smart industries, autonomous vehicles, and healthcare services requires a transdisciplinary approach.