Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, has prepared 302 participants for the National Internship Program within the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs of Indonesia as part of an accelerated effort to develop Indonesia’s digital workforce capable of mastering artificial intelligence (AI) and safeguarding national cyberspace security.
The program forms part of an initiative launched by Prabowo Subianto to strengthen digital human resources in response to industrial demands and the country’s technological transformation.
According to Meutya, the interns are not assigned merely administrative duties but are directly involved in the ministry’s strategic agenda, including preliminary reviews of regulatory drafts and the strengthening of digital policies.
“This is not a ceremonial program. These interns must be empowered according to their respective capabilities. They have even been involved in real work and strategic matters such as early reviews of ministerial regulations, which shows the trust we place in them,” she said during a Town Hall Meeting at the Sapta Pesona Building in Central Jakarta on Friday, February 13, 2026.
The internship program distributes participants across multiple units, including the Secretariat General, the Directorate General of Digital Infrastructure, the Directorate General of Digital Government Technology, the Directorate General of Digital Space Supervision, the Directorate General of Public Communication and Media, as well as BPSDM, BAKTI, and LPP RRI.
Deep AI Mastery for Productivity and Economic Value
Meutya urged Generation Z participants to develop deep expertise in artificial intelligence. She noted that Indonesia ranks among countries with high AI adoption, but emphasized that its use must be directed toward productivity and economic value creation.
“Do not stop at surface-level use of AI. Use AI technology to add economic value, expand knowledge, accelerate work, and increase productivity so that you are not left behind by young people from other countries,” she stressed.
Beyond technological mastery, Meutya highlighted the importance of protecting the digital ecosystem, warning that threats such as misinformation, online fraud, and cyberattacks continue to rise. Young digital talents, she said, must become part of the solution rather than mere users of technology.
She also underscored the need for mental resilience, referencing ideas from Jonathan Haidt in his book The Anxious Generation, which explores the psychological pressures faced by young people in the digital era.
“Young people must experience being corrected, failing, and falling. That is part of the growing process. It is okay to struggle during this internship at Komdigi, it will make you stronger,” she said.
Meutya concluded that the internship phase provides the ideal space to build skills, character, and courage. She expressed hope that the 302 participants will emerge as digitally skilled professionals who master AI, demonstrate strong mental resilience, and actively contribute to maintaining a secure and healthy digital environment in Indonesia.
Conclusion
Through the National Internship Program, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is not only accelerating the development of AI-ready digital talent but also shaping a generation equipped with strategic thinking, cybersecurity awareness, and mental resilience. By integrating young professionals directly into policy work and technological transformation efforts, the government aims to build a future workforce capable of driving Indonesia’s digital economy while safeguarding its digital space in an increasingly complex technological landscape.
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