Summary of "Seminar Telkom AI Connect: Artificial Intelligence di Ekosistem Perguruan Tinggi"

Summary of “Seminar Telkom AI Connect: Artificial Intelligence di Ekosistem Perguruan Tinggi”

This seminar focuses on the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Indonesia’s higher education ecosystem and the collaboration between universities and industry to build digital competitiveness. Organized by Telkom Indonesia, the event highlights the importance of AI development, talent cultivation, infrastructure, research, and commercialization within the academic and industrial sectors.

Main Ideas and Concepts

1. Indonesia’s Digital Talent Gap and AI Development Needs

Indonesia requires 23 million digital talents by 2045.
Telkom Indonesia is accelerating AI adoption via the AI BigBox Center of Excellence with programs like AI Connect.
AI Connect aims to prepare the nation’s best digital talents through skill development programs, including AI introductory classes, AI for business, AI innovation sprints, and AI/ML.

2. Telkom’s AI Center of Excellence and Its Four Pillars

AI Campus: Collaboration space between academia and industry for co-innovation and curriculum strengthening.
AI Playground: Platform providing access to AI models and infrastructure for exploration and research.
AI Connect: Community and program for sharing best practices, innovation sprints, and building synergy.
AI Hub: Proof of concept and commercialization platform for AI solutions.

3. Collaboration Between Academia and Industry

Strong synergy between universities and Telkom Group (including Telkomsel) is essential for AI innovation.
Collaboration enables shared infrastructure, funding, talent development, and downstreaming (commercialization) of research.
The ecosystem includes universities, industry, startups, government, and communities working together in a penta helix model.

4. Challenges in AI Adoption

Lack of sufficient research funding and investment, especially for startups.
Overlapping and uncoordinated research efforts.
Limited access to high-cost AI infrastructure (e.g., GPUs, cloud computing).
Need for better AI governance, data privacy, and ethical AI use.
Difficulty in commercialization and downstreaming of AI research results.
Talent development remains the biggest challenge in both academia and industry.

5. Telkom’s Role and AI Implementation

Telkom offers AI infrastructure, data, and platforms to universities and industries.
Real-time DDoS protection and AI-driven network management are examples of Telkom’s AI applications.
Telkomsel manages massive data flows and applies AI for customer personalization, network optimization, and productivity.
Telkom is committed to supporting AI talent development through training, certification, and collaborative programs.

6. University Perspectives and Initiatives

Universities like Telkom University and ITB have established AI centers, research groups, and AI-related study programs.
AI is integrated into curricula with mandatory courses on data literacy and AI.
Research focuses on NLP, computer vision, quantum computing, AI for agriculture, healthcare, and other sectors.
Universities face challenges in funding, infrastructure, publication impact, and commercialization.
Collaboration with industry is crucial for practical application and funding.

7. Future Directions and Opportunities

Emerging AI technologies like agentic AI, generative AI, and quantum computing are expected to transform industries.
Smaller, cheaper AI models are being developed, enabling wider adoption including SMEs.
AI democratization through open courses and cloud services is increasing accessibility.
Emphasis on producing graduates skilled in AI-human collaboration with creativity and critical thinking.
Need for continuous commitment from all stakeholders to sustain collaboration and innovation.

Methodology / List of Instructions Presented

For Universities and Researchers

Align research with industry needs and focus on downstreaming/commercialization.
Collaborate with Telkom and industry partners to access infrastructure and funding.
Form dedicated AI teams or centers to coordinate AI curriculum and research.
Participate in AI Connect community and use AI Playground for experimentation.
Focus on value creation and measurable impact of AI projects.
Engage in multi-disciplinary research and avoid overlapping efforts.
Prioritize ethical AI use and data governance in compliance with regulations.

For Industry and Telkom Group

Provide AI infrastructure, data access, and platforms to universities.
Facilitate talent development through training, certification, and internships.
Support research commercialization and innovation sprints.
Develop AI products tailored for various sectors including MSMEs.
Promote open-minded collaboration and data sharing with academia.
Implement AI governance and ethical frameworks internally and externally.
Use AI to augment human tasks, not replace jobs.

For Policymakers and Stakeholders

Increase funding for AI research and startup ecosystem.
Encourage regulatory support for AI adoption and data sovereignty.
Foster national AI roadmap implementation with clear priorities.
Support collaborative forums and expos to showcase AI innovations.
Promote AI literacy and awareness across sectors.

Speakers and Sources Featured

Telkom Indonesia and Telkom Group Representatives

Mrs. Dian Siswarini – CEO Telkom Group
Mr. Edi Kurniawan – Executive Vice President Telkom Regional 2
Mr. Fauzan Faisal – Deputy Executive General Manager Digital Products PT Telkom Indonesia
Mr. Arisondang Widianto Sabarani – Vice President Data and AI Management Telkomsel
Mrs. Rika Febrilantina – Executive Vice President Telkom Regional 2
Mr. Muhammad Darmawan – General Manager Healthcare and Education Account Manager

Academics and Researchers

Prof. Dr. Suyanto, ST., M.Sc. – Chancellor of Telkom University, AI researcher
Mrs. Dr. Engineering Ayu Purwarianti, ST., MT – Researcher at ITB AI Center, advisor to Indonesian AI Institute
Mr. Dr. Lukman, ST., M.Hum. – Head of Regional Higher Education LLDikti Region 4 West Java and Banten

Moderator

Mas Hedi Krishna – Research Operations Manager at Telkom Corporate University

University Participants (selected)

Mr. Oki Mahendra – Universitas Padjadjaran (UNPAD)
Mrs. Asnita Frida Sebayang – Vice Chancellor Belmawa, Bandung Islamic University
Mr. Ivan Adit Gafur – Polytechnic Bandung Manufacturing
Mr. Aska Ulia Rahman – Widatama University

This seminar emphasizes the urgent need for integrated efforts in AI talent development, research, infrastructure sharing, and commercialization to position Indonesia competitively in the global AI landscape, leveraging the synergy between academia, industry, and government.