Vice President Gibran Urges Students and Teachers to Master AI

Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia Gibran Rakabuming Raka has urged all students and teachers in the country to master artificial intelligence (AI) technology in order to face the massive digital transformation. “We can no longer turn a blind eye, or merely be spectators. We must be players, we must be masters of that technology,” Gibran said in a video uploaded to his official Instagram social media account, quoted in Jakarta on Tuesday. Gibran explained that the world is currently changing very rapidly, shifting from a focus on reading and writing literacy to digital literacy. According to him, the peak of this global digital transformation is marked by the presence of artificial intelligence technology. The Vice President emphasised to students that AI must be viewed as a tool to accelerate the learning process, not a medium that encourages laziness. Gibran likened this technology to a personal assistant that facilitates data searches, mastery of foreign languages, and even the simplification of complex mathematical formulas. Nevertheless, he cautioned that mastering artificial intelligence should not erode the younger generation’s critical thinking skills. The Vice President urged that the use of this new technology should remain aimed at sparking creativity and maintaining the ability to think independently. “The good news is that many sophisticated AI technologies are now open source. The knowledge is free, the code is open, and it can be accessed by anyone,” Gibran said. On the other hand, he also asked teachers and parents not to give up or feel awkward about improving their own abilities in the face of technological advancement. The Vice President explained that the wise use of AI can reduce the administrative burden on teachers at school. Through this technology, educators can more easily compile exam questions, present engaging material, and provide applicable case examples for students. Gibran also conveyed a crucial message about the importance of upholding ethics and integrity values when using AI, so that it is not misused to spread hoaxes, plagiarism, or privacy violations. The Vice President stated that the Indonesian Government has completed the readiness assessment methodology from UNESCO to measure the nation’s future AI governance readiness. “Master the technology, hold fast to its ethics. Let us make AI a bridge towards a more advanced, more intelligent, and more dignified Indonesia,” concluded Vice President Gibran.