Indonesian teachers’ unbelievable victory within the regional AI TEACH hackathon last November heralds a brand new era where artificial intelligence (AI) and education can complement one another.
Source: @kitakerja.id on Instagram
Two groups of teachers from Sorong in West Papua and Probolinggo in East Java won 1st and 2nd place within the event organized by the ASEAN Foundation. After obtaining this information, each groups created artificial intelligence-generating learning projects through a training program called AI TEACH, which PLAN Indonesia conducted with the support of Microsoft Indonesia.
AI TEACH Indonesia, launched in February 2024 under the AI TEACH for ASEAN program, goals to offer skilled teachers with artificial intelligence training.
Here are three key points of achievements of Indonesian teachers through the regional AI TEACH hackathon:
Artificial intelligence supporting critical pondering skills
Many people fear that technology will reduce students’ critical pondering skills, on condition that AI tools have generated all of the answers. However, some teachers have debunked this myth and created AI applications to stimulate students’ critical pondering.
Probolinggo teachers created a project called AI MISS YOU (Artificial Intelligence Enhancing Students’ Original and Unique Critical Reasoning). The app encourages students to not blindly accept answers from AI, but to look at and confirm them first.
Sorong teachers have developed an application called AI ASIS (AI-ASIS) (student assistant) that robotically answers students’ questions based on chosen learning materials from teachers.
This app helps students learn independently, with teachers acting as moderators.
Tech giants offer training for Indonesian teachers and students
As of November 2024, the AI TEACH for Indonesia program has trained over 2,500 teachers and students across the archipelago, demonstrating a powerful commitment to improving the standard of education through the implementation of AI technologies.
Last yr, Google provided artificial intelligence training to teachers through its Gemini Academy program. Indonesian teachers are enthusiastically learning how one can use artificial intelligence within the classroom.
From October 2023 over 186,000 teachers from 35 provinces have accomplished Google Academy training programs. Teachers are pleased with the training, which may help students develop creativity and develop critical pondering skills.
Google Indonesia country marketing manager Muriel Makarim said an internal company survey showed that 98 percent of teachers felt more confident using AI tools to organize materials. In comparison, 99 percent said technology helps reduce their workload.
The Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs also said that Microsoft has committed to investing $1.7 billion in ElevAlte AI training programs in Indonesia.
The growing use of artificial intelligence in Indonesia
According to the 2018 International Data Corporation or IDC Asia-Pacific Enterprise Cognitive/AI Survey.Indonesia’s AI adoption rate was 24.9%, which was even higher than Singapore’s (9.9%) considering the island nation’s excellent infrastructure.
As many as 92 percent of Indonesian staff use generative artificial intelligence to enhance their tasksas shown by a study conducted by Microsoft and LinkedIn Work Trend Index 2024.
Indonesia will proceed to make significant progress in implementing artificial intelligence within the face of challenges corresponding to access to technology and web infrastructure. Winning the regional AI TEACH hackathon encourages teachers and students to make use of and improve AI skills that may shape a greater future for them.
