Jakarta, INTI - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid has called on Indonesians who graduated from overseas universities to strengthen their contribution to national development by creating technology innovations, including artificial intelligence (AI), with a human-centered approach.
Meutya emphasized that technology development should go beyond creating innovations. Its benefits must ultimately be felt by people, while potential risks must be properly managed.
“In my view, the key is responsibility. It is not simply about encouraging innovation; we believe every innovation must be developed responsibly,” Meutya said in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 30, 2026.
She delivered the message while serving as a keynote speaker at a forum titled “Human Connection in a Digital World” in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
Digital Talent Seen as Strategic for Indonesia
Meutya said the expertise of professionals and graduates with global educational backgrounds in AI, data science, and cybersecurity is increasingly relevant to Indonesia’s needs amid the country’s accelerating digital transformation.
According to Meutya, these individuals are strategically positioned to bridge academic knowledge, professional experience, and national development priorities.
“This creates opportunities to exchange ideas and develop technologies that serve and protect people, rather than becoming a disruption to humanity,” she said.
Beyond digital technology, overseas graduates can also contribute to areas such as sustainable energy, education, and healthcare.
In education, mentorship programs and stronger partnerships between universities and industry are considered important for developing future talent in line with President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita national agenda.
At the forum, which brought together alumni of several Australian universities, Meutya also highlighted the development of the Indonesia-Australia partnership.
She said bilateral relations between the two countries could provide a foundation for expanding cooperation in technology development and human resource capacity building.
Alumni Networks Encouraged to Deliver Practical Solutions
Meutya said international networks established through education can play an important role in creating meaningful contributions to society.
She also reflected on her own educational journey, which began with a foundation studies program at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Australia in 1996.
She later studied manufacturing engineering and graduated as an engineer from the university in 2000.
After completing her education, Meutya returned to Indonesia and began her career as a journalist before entering politics. She subsequently served as a parliamentarian for more than a decade before being appointed Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs.
She encouraged overseas university alumni networks to become more than places to reconnect and reminisce about their academic years. She said they should also serve as platforms for exchanging ideas, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and developing solutions to challenges facing Indonesia.
“Ultimately, we hope alumni chapters will not only serve as a place for us to meet, but also as a space to exchange ideas and contribute our thoughts. I believe we all want to make a greater contribution,” Meutya said.
Conclusion
Meutya Hafid emphasized that Indonesia’s digital transformation requires innovation that remains focused on human needs, benefits, and responsible risk management. She also encouraged overseas-educated Indonesian talent to contribute their expertise, strengthen collaboration, and develop technology solutions that support national development.
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