UNM Rector Promotes AI that is Increasingly Intelligent yet Increasingly Human-Centric

The Rector of Nusa Mandiri University (UNM), Prof. Dr. Ir. $ ext{Dwiza}$ Riana, believes that the theme of the International Conference on Information Technology Research and Innovation (ICITRI) 2026, “Next-Generation AI for Human-Centered Innovation and Sustainable Futures,” is highly relevant to the current developments and challenges of artificial intelligence technology. According to her, AI is no longer just evolving as a technology, but is beginning to transform various aspects of life, from how humans learn and work to conducting research and solving complex problems. Therefore, the development of AI must go hand in hand with human values, responsibility, inclusivity, and sustainability.

“The true measure of AI progress is not just how intelligent our technology will become, but how meaningful that technology is in improving the quality of human life,” Prof. Dwiza stated during her opening remarks at ICITRI 2026 at the UNM Margonda Campus, Depok, on Thursday (10/9).

She emphasised that universities have a much broader role than merely producing knowledge. Knowledge born from academic environments needs to be translated into innovations capable of providing a real impact on society.

As a Digital Business Campus, UNM aims through the hosting of ICITRI 2026 that the conference can serve as a space to strengthen international research networks, open new collaborations, and encourage the birth of innovations that contribute to the development of science, technology, society, and a sustainable future.

“At UNM, we believe that universities should not only produce knowledge, but also transform that knowledge into innovation and real impact in society,” she said.

Prof. Dwiza also invited all participants to view the development of AI not solely through its technological capabilities. The next generation of AI, according to her, needs to be directed to become increasingly human-centred, responsible, inclusive, and capable of providing a positive impact on life.

This message serves as an affirmation that technological progress should not stop at the question of how smart AI is, but also about for whom the technology is being developed and what changes it is capable of bringing about.