Stella urges universities to become foundation in artificial intelligence era

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology Stella Christie has called on universities to become a solid foundation amidst the rapid development of artificial intelligence. “Currently, AI is often positioned as a solution to various problems, ranging from health, science, business, to education. However, its utilisation needs to be addressed wisely and based on scientific considerations, so that the technology can provide sustainable benefits for society,” she said in a statement in Jakarta on Friday. She emphasised that higher education, science, and technology are important foundations for sustainable national development and increasing the nation’s competitiveness. The development of AI, she said, encourages universities to find new models and ways of working to remain relevant amidst rapid technological change. The cognitive psychology expert also stressed that universities must have three main functions: creating knowledge, transmitting knowledge through education, and managing knowledge to provide benefits to society, in line with the implementation of the tri dharma of higher education. Deputy Minister Stella also highlighted the importance of redefining the purpose of higher education in the AI era. The ease of obtaining information through technology, she said, does not diminish the importance of the university’s role in shaping intellectual capacity and scientific thinking. She added that higher education does not only focus on mastering knowledge, but also on how knowledge is created and how science is conducted. “Many things I learned were not just about knowledge, but how to do science, not just what is known, but how to do it,” said Stella Christie.