Jakarta, INTI – Amid the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) is calling on Indonesian students to play a vital role in addressing the shortage of digital talent. The call was delivered by Bonifasius Wahyu Pudjianto, Head of the Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDM) of Kemkomdigi, during his visit to Brawijaya University, Malang, East Java, on Thursday 21, August, 2025.
Rising Demand for Digital Talent
Bonifasius revealed that Indonesia’s demand for digital talent remains far from sufficient. Based on internal calculations by BPSDM and consulting firm Kearney, Indonesia will need between 453,000 and 600,000 new digital talents annually until 2030.
“In the blue-collar sector, job applicants often flood the market, with tens of thousands competing for just a few thousand vacancies. But in digital talent, it’s the opposite job openings exceed the number of graduates available,” he explained.
According to him, this situation presents a major challenge. Without the involvement of students and the younger generation, these opportunities risk being filled by foreign workers.
From Blue Collar to White Collar
Bonifasius stressed the importance of shifting the workforce paradigm from the blue-collar sector toward white-collar or professional jobs.
“We hope that students can seize this market opportunity. Otherwise, neighboring countries will step in to fill Indonesia’s digital talent needs,” he said.
He added that this transformation is not easy, but he believes Indonesian students have the potential to become a key part of building the nation’s digital ecosystem.
AI Talent Factory: Shaping a New Generation
As a concrete step, Kemkomdigi, in collaboration with Brawijaya University, launched the AI Talent Factory program. The initiative is designed not only for beginners but also to train advanced AI practitioners under the guidance of experts.
“This program is a pilot project we are initiating. The expectation is that it will produce practical AI solutions as well as high-quality digital talent to support the growth of Indonesia’s digital economy,” Bonifasius explained.
Through this program, the government aims to boost the digital economy’s contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) while strengthening Indonesia’s competitiveness in the global technology landscape.
Conclusion
Kemkomdigi’s call to students is more than just an appeal it is a strategic step for the nation’s future. By closing the AI talent gap, Indonesia has the potential not only to be a technology consumer but also to emerge as a key player in the global digital industry.
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