Vice President Gibran Urges Students to Master AI Technology and Ethics

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Vice President Gibran Rakabuming called on Indonesian students to strengthen their grasp of artificial intelligence (AI) and its ethical use, underscoring the importance of preparing the younger generation for global competition in the digital economy.

His remarks came during a visit to the AI Ready ASEAN workshop, themed “Empowering Students for the Future: AI Literacy for a Digital ASEAN”, held in Bandung, West Java, on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.

Quoting Antara, the workshop gathered around 500 students and aimed to expand AI literacy while equipping participants with a basic understanding of how the technology can be applied in everyday life.

The initiative aligns with President Prabowo Subianto’s Astacita vision, particularly in strengthening human capital, accelerating digital transformation, and enhancing technology-based education to prepare Indonesia’s youth for global challenges.

In his address, VP Gibran emphasized the need for early exposure to technology so that Indonesian students are not left behind in global advancements. He explained that his visits to schools across West Java were intended to introduce AI literacy, robotics, and digital technology programs.

“We are focusing on schools to introduce AI and robotics. At one school, students even had extracurricular activities in e-sports, with games that can be contested internationally,” he said.

VP Gibran noted that AI is increasingly integrated into daily life, including in education. “AI is very important for everyday life, especially to support teaching and learning. But at the same time, we must understand that AI has rules and ethics that need to be respected,” he explained.

He also expressed appreciation to the ASEAN Foundation and Google.org for supporting AI literacy programs in Indonesia. “We don’t want our children to be left behind in technological developments, especially AI. Thank you to ASEAN Foundation and Google.org for their support,” he said.

During the event, VP Gibran engaged in dialogue with students. One participant, Mirza Ali Musyafa, asked about the environmental impact of AI, particularly the use of water resources in data center operations. In response, Gibran stressed the importance of balancing technological progress with sustainability.

“Advancement always has pluses and minuses for the environment. The challenge is finding the middle ground. We want technology to grow, we want AI to be widely used, but environmental sustainability must also be safeguarded,” he said.

The AI Ready ASEAN program introduces students to the fundamentals of AI, ethical considerations, and its applications across different aspects of life. ASEAN Foundation Executive Director Piti Srisangnam emphasized that the program seeks to provide equal opportunities for students to understand and responsibly use AI.

“Digital transformation is not just about technology; it’s about opening opportunities for young people to innovate and make a positive impact in their communities,” he said. ***