The Fate of Teachers in the AI Era: Government Reveals Current Conditions
Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Artificial intelligence (AI) technology has already had a significant impact on all sectors and industries, from healthcare to education. In fact, some professions are feared to become extinct, replaced by AI.
However, Arif Jamali, Director of Secondary Education and Special Education at the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education (Kemendikdasmen), believes that the role of teachers cannot be replaced by advanced technology like AI.
“AI cannot replace teachers and cannot substitute the interaction between teachers and students, no matter how sophisticated the technology is,” said Arif at the CNBC Indonesia Tech & Telco Forum 2026 on Wednesday (6/5/2026).
Nevertheless, Arif emphasised the importance of teachers’ ability to adapt in facing AI developments. He assessed that technology must become part of the teaching and learning experience, so that its benefits can be realised in improving student quality.
“There are quite a few learning platforms, but they do not automatically make our education quality and high-standard. Technology will enhance the quality of education with teachers who can design learning and encourage students to understand, apply, and reflect on knowledge through AI technology,” he explained.
In addition, Arif highlighted the importance of the teacher’s role in maintaining human values and ethics in AI usage. This is because AI can bring great benefits but also comes with risks that threaten security.
Arif said that the current task of teachers must be able to maintain and ensure that students have empathetic character and uphold positive values. Finally, according to him, teachers must also be able to build a new learning culture.
He also mentioned government efforts to encourage a more effective and efficient teaching and learning process with the help of technology. One of them is the Prabowo Subianto administration providing digital interactive boards in schools.
Although the procurement has been provided, it is important for teachers to be able to maximise their use.
“From our mapping results, many of our schools and teachers are not yet capable in terms of facilities to access advanced technology. Teachers’ abilities are also still below the capacity to adapt to this technology,” he stated.
For this reason, the government is taking action by training nearly 50,000 teachers to socialise the use of technology in the teaching and learning process.