Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia's Minister of Manpower Yassierli has emphasized that mastering artificial intelligence (AI) skills is becoming essential for improving the competitiveness of Indonesia's workforce as industries undergo rapid digital transformation and demand for digital talent continues to grow.
AI Becomes a Competitive Advantage in Recruitment
Speaking at the AI Career Boost Day 2026 job fair in Jakarta, Yassierli said AI proficiency has become a major differentiator in recruitment, as employers increasingly prioritize candidates who can effectively utilize AI tools alongside their professional expertise.
Drawing on his experience as a consultant for more than 50 companies before joining the government, he noted that when evaluating candidates with similar qualifications, AI competency is now a decisive factor in hiring decisions.
Yassierli stressed that AI is no longer limited to information technology professionals. Instead, it has become a practical skill that can be learned by individuals from virtually any educational or professional background, provided they are willing to continuously learn and adapt.
Growing Demand for Digital Talent
The minister said discussions with policymakers and business leaders during the BRICS Labour Ministers' Meeting in Hyderabad, India, highlighted the rapidly increasing demand for AI and digital professionals.
According to industry insights shared during the meeting, recruitment for AI and digital talent increased by 11% over the past year, while overall recruitment for traditional white-collar roles declined by 9%.
Yassierli also cited the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2030, which projects the creation of approximately 170 million new jobs while 92 million existing roles could disappear due to technological advancements.
Strengthening AI Governance and Workforce Skills
To prepare Indonesia's workforce for these changes, the Ministry of Manpower is developing AI governance policies related to employment while expanding collaboration with industry partners to accelerate workforce upskilling.
Yassierli acknowledged Microsoft's contribution, noting that the company has already provided AI and digital skills training to approximately 50,000 workers as part of broader workforce development initiatives.
He also referred to LinkedIn data showing that demand for jobs requiring digital and AI skills across Southeast Asia increased 2.4 times between 2021 and 2023.
Despite the growing importance of AI, Yassierli emphasized that technical capabilities alone are not enough. Workers must also strengthen critical thinking, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, empathy, and decision-making skills to remain competitive in the global labor market.
Conclusion
As AI reshapes the future of work, Indonesia is accelerating efforts to equip its workforce with both technical AI capabilities and essential human skills, ensuring greater competitiveness in the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Read more: Indonesia's Ministry of Manpower Partners with Microsoft, Binus, and GreatNusa to Expand AI-Powered Job Fair for Digital Talent Development