Jakarta, INTI - The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is prompting governments and societies to reassess human readiness in adapting to technological change. While AI is creating opportunities across various sectors, its rapid development is also raising concerns over unequal access, technological capacity, talent availability, and governments’ ability to regulate its use.
Global AI Growth Raises Concerns Over Access and Readiness
These issues were among the key topics discussed at the World Encounter Summit 2026, which brought together government leaders, young people, academics, religious figures, technology companies, and civil society representatives from around the world in Bali.
The forum began with the Bali Harmony Dialogue at the United in Diversity (UID) Bali Campus in the Kura Kura Bali Special Economic Zone on Thursday, September 3, 2026. Discussions continued through the XI International Scholas Chairs Congress 2026, held from September 4–6, 2026.
Participants from five continents explored the impact of AI on various aspects of life, including education, employment, youth mental well-being, democracy, and social relationships.
One of the major concerns raised during the forum was the growing gap in AI development between countries. Not every nation has equal access to data, computing power, digital infrastructure, skilled talent, or the capacity to develop and govern AI technologies.
Indonesia Must Strengthen Its AI Capacity
Chairman of Indonesia’s National Economic Council, Luhut B. Pandjaitan, emphasized that Indonesia needs to develop its technological capabilities independently rather than becoming merely a consumer of AI.
“This includes developing AI supported by clean energy and strengthening STEM education,” Luhut said in a press statement received on Saturday, September 5, 2026.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid said Indonesia’s high level of AI adoption among younger generations must be accompanied by stronger research capabilities, talent development, infrastructure, and policy frameworks.
“Simply using AI does not automatically translate into national capacity,” Meutya said.
According to Meutya, this situation presents an opportunity for Indonesia to develop its own technologies and strengthen its position beyond simply becoming a market for AI products developed by other countries.
From a social perspective, Scholas Occurrentes Executive Director Maria Paz Jurado said discussions about AI should go beyond examining what machines are capable of doing.
She argued that the global community must also consider what kind of human society it wants to build alongside technological progress. Ensuring that the benefits of AI are distributed fairly, she added, is not only a technological issue but also one involving social, economic, moral, and environmental justice.
The rapid development of AI, therefore, places technological capacity alongside human readiness and effective governance as critical priorities. For Indonesia, strengthening talent, education, infrastructure, research, and policy will be essential in determining the country’s position in the global AI landscape in the years ahead.
Conclusion
As AI continues to reshape economies and societies, Indonesia’s ability to compete will depend not only on how widely the technology is adopted, but also on its capacity to develop talent, infrastructure, research, and effective governance. Strengthening these foundations will be crucial for Indonesia to move from being an AI user and market toward becoming an active contributor to the global AI ecosystem.
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