Vice President urges pesantren to integrate AI and robotics training
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka has urged Islamic boarding schools, or pesantren, to begin integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics training into their educational curricula during a Eid al-Fitr 1447 H goodwill visit to Central Java.
“Gibran conveyed that activities in pesantren should not only focus on conventional pursuits but also be directed towards developing AI and robotics,” said Deputy Caretaker of Ponpes Walisongo Sragen, Muhammad Bahrul Mustawa, after receiving the Vice President’s visit, as quoted from the Vice President’s Secretariat’s Press, Media, and Information Bureau in Jakarta on Thursday.
The Vice President, accompanied by Sragen Regent Sigit Pamungkas, was warmly welcomed by the management, students, and local community at Ponpes Walisongo Sragen. In addition to greeting the residents, Gibran distributed writing materials as gifts to the santri in support of their education.
A special meeting was then held between the Vice President and the Caretaker of Ponpes Walisongo, K.H. Ma’ruf Islamuddin. Mustawa stated that the meeting took place in a warm and familial atmosphere, coloured by prayers and hopes that national leadership would proceed well.
“Abah mostly prayed for Gibran, President Prabowo, and the entire apparatus to carry out their mandates honestly and for their programmes to run smoothly,” Mustawa revealed.
In the dialogue, the Vice President outlined several priority government programmes that are being and will be implemented. These programmes include Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), the establishment of the Directorate General for Pesantren in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and strategic plans for hajj housing procurement.
Regarding human resource development, Gibran emphasised the importance of fostering digital talent within pesantren environments. This aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s directives for the younger generation, including santri, to be prepared to face future technological challenges.
After completing the agenda in Sragen, the Vice President continued his journey to Ponpes Az-Zayadiyy in Surakarta. Gibran’s arrival was welcomed by the Chairman of Ponpes Az-Zayadiyy, Rakha, along with the management and santri.
In Surakarta, the Vice President engaged in goodwill visits with the caretaker of Ponpes Az-Zayadiyy, K.H. Abdul Karim or Gus Karim. The main topics of discussion in the meeting echoed the points raised at Ponpes Walisongo, namely strengthening the role of pesantren in successfully implementing government programmes.