Pancasila Should Not Remain in Books, Apply It in Digital Innovation
Every 1st of June, the Indonesian nation commemorates the Birth of Pancasila. This momentum is often understood as a reminder of history and national identity. However, amidst the increasingly rapid wave of digital transformation, I believe that Pancasila should not merely be remembered as the state foundation. Its values must serve as a compass in developing the technology and digital innovations that now influence almost every aspect of societal life.
Today, we live in an era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud computing, and rapidly evolving cybersecurity. Technology has brought many conveniences and opened great opportunities for economic growth and national progress. However, the fundamental question remains: is all the innovation we create aligned with the values of humanity, justice, and unity that constitute the soul of Pancasila?
In my view, the greatest challenge of digital transformation is no longer just about creating sophisticated technology, but ensuring that such technology provides fair and sustainable benefits for society. We must not be trapped in the euphoria of innovation without considering the accompanying social, ethical, and humanitarian impacts.
In practice, great technology does not necessarily result in progress if it is not built on a strong foundation of values. Artificial Intelligence, for example, can assist in rapid and accurate decision-making. However, without the principles of justice and transparency, this technology has the potential to create digital discrimination, algorithmic bias, and gaps in information access.
This is where the relevance of Pancasila becomes vital. The first principle, Belief in the One and Only God, teaches that technology must be developed with moral responsibility. The second principle, Just and Civilised Humanity, reminds us that innovation must respect human rights and dignity. Meanwhile, the third principle, the Unity of Indonesia, serves as the foundation to ensure that digital transformation strengthens social cohesion rather than creating polarisation in digital spaces.
As the Head of the Informatics Study Programme for the Master’s Programme at the Faculty of Information Technology, Nusa Mandiri University (UNM), I believe that higher education institutions have a strategic responsibility to prepare digital talent that is not only technically superior but also possesses strong national character. The world today needs more innovators capable of combining technological intelligence with social wisdom.
Therefore, the master’s education process should not only be oriented towards mastering theory, scientific publication, or system development. Students must be encouraged to conduct research that addresses real societal issues, creating inclusive digital solutions and producing innovations that provide a positive impact on national development.
As a Digital Business Campus, UNM continues to encourage the development of research and innovation based on societal needs. Students and lecturers are challenged not only to produce intelligent technology but also technology that is humanist, adaptive, and ethical. The spirit of ‘gotong royong’ (mutual cooperation), social justice, and respect for diversity are values we continuously instil in every academic and research activity.
Indonesia has a great opportunity to become a digital power in the region and even the world. However, this success cannot be measured solely by the number of startups, internet penetration, or high AI adoption. True success is achieved when technology can improve the quality of life, expand access to education, strengthen healthcare services, increase economic productivity, and fortify national unity.
The momentum of the Birth of Pancasila should serve as a collective reflection that technological progress and digitalisation must not proceed without direction. Innovation must remain anchored in the nation’s noble values so as not to lose its primary purpose: to bring welfare to humanity.
Ultimately, a progressive nation is not one that is merely capable of creating the most sophisticated technology, but one that ensures such technology works for humanity, justice, and unity. That is where Pancasila finds its relevance—not just in speeches and ceremonial commemorations, but in every innovation we create for the future of Indonesia.