Jakarta, INTI - The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology (Kemdiktisaintek) is urging higher education institutions to strengthen their roles as the centers for knowledge creation and sharing, as well as human resource development, amid the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
This was conveyed by the Deputy Minister of Kemdiktisaintek, Stella Christie, during the AI Indonesia Initiative Forum held at Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB) on Wednesday, August 26, 2026.
In her remarks, Stella noted that AI advancements have brought fundamental changes across various aspects of life, including higher education. AI's ability to rapidly acquire, process, and present information compels higher education institutions to re-examine their core functions of human development and the advancement of knowledge.
According to her, the challenge facing higher education institutions moving forward is no longer merely about conveying information or facts to students. Institutions must also shape individuals capable of creating knowledge and determining the value and meaning of that knowledge.
With rapid AI development, Stella urged the academic community to approach the technology critically. She emphasized that higher education institutions should not simply follow trends by using AI to address every issue. Instead, they must understand the objectives and consequences of its application.
AI Cannot be the Primary Driver
At the same time, she acknowledged that AI offers significant opportunities across various fields, ranging from research and mathematics to business and education. However, its utilization still requires human capability to define goals, assess relevance, and curate the information or answers generated.
Within the higher education environment, Stella emphasized that humans retain the primary role in the knowledge creation process. While AI can assist in processing information, analyzing data, and identifying patterns, humans must remain capable of asking fundamental questions and generating new knowledge.
Beyond serving as spaces for knowledge creation, higher education institutions also play a vital role in disseminating knowledge. This process occurs not only from professors to students but also extends to interactions among students and the transfer of knowledge from the academic community to the general public.
“Higher education institutions are the place for sharing knowledge, from professors to students, among students themselves, and from students to the wider community,” said Stella.
She also emphasized the importance of the ability to curate knowledge in the AI era. As people gain access to vast amounts of information, the capacity to select, sort, understand context, and identify valuable information becomes increasingly crucial.
Conclusion
Kemdiktisaintek encourages higher education institutions to strengthen their roles as hubs for knowledge creation and sharing, as well as human resource development, amid the rapid advancement of AI. Deputy Minister Stella Christie emphasized that universities must cultivate individuals capable of creating knowledge, understanding its value, and determining the direction of technology utilization. While AI offers significant opportunities in various fields, its use must be accompanied by critical thinking skills, the ability to set goals, the capacity to assess relevance, and the skill to curate information.
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