Stella Christie Urges ASEAN to Develop Education Policy on AI Readiness

TheIndonesia.id - Stella Christie, Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology, has called on ASEAN to establish an education policy addressing artificial intelligence (AI) usage.

According to Antara News Agency, speaking in the 1st Regional Policy Convening of AI Ready ASEAN at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta on Wednesday, she emphasized the need for a framework that ensures both readiness and responsibility in implementing AI across the region.

Christie highlighted the importance of strengthening public understanding of AI, noting that literacy in AI goes beyond simply recognizing its existence. She outlined four key aspects of AI literacy:

1. The ability to assess whether a problem can be solved by AI or requires human intervention.
2. Understanding why certain problems cannot be addressed by AI.
3. The capability to develop solutions combining both AI and human efforts.

Christie, a professor of cognitive psychology, stressed that fostering these skills is essential for the successful integration of AI into society.

The Indonesian Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology is backing various initiatives under the ASEAN Foundation’s AI Ready ASEAN programme, which aims to enhance AI education and promote its responsible use. Christie expressed hope that these efforts would bolster the academic capabilities of Indonesian higher education and help nurture young talent, particularly in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

The event, themed "Fostering the Opportunities of Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy AI in the Region," aimed to bring together policymakers, AI practitioners, and ASEAN representatives to discuss AI’s role in education and society.

AI Ready ASEAN, supported by Google, is a regional initiative focused on raising AI literacy through campaigns that encourage young people, educators, and parents to engage in responsible AI practices.