President asks universities to respond to technological development

President Joko Widodo expressed hope for universities to have rapid responses towards any technological developments that would have a major impact on the changing pattern of human life in the future.

"We have to be aware of the ever-changing dynamic challenges that we are facing today," the president stated during his public lecture at the 68th Anniversary of Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in the University`s Grha Sabha Pramana here on Tuesday.

He believed that the development of new technologies, such as the emergence of robots and Artificial Intelligence, would greatly affect human life in the future.

"When it comes to new technology, the moment we just learn one, there will be other new ones that emerge," he stated.

The birth of new technology, he continued, can lead to the extinction to some types of work that exist today as they lose their relevance.

"For example, the postman, who was once very important, can barely be seen today. Tellers or cashiers may also be no longer relevant," he remarked.

These technological developments may also have an impact on the changes in business formations, which have largely led to digital products by means of online marketing.

"Even in the world of politics and government, we also need to adjust to the development of science and technology. One day, there will be lesser number of administrators due to the number of jobs that can be automated," he reiterated.

He believed that these changes need to be responded quickly by universities as educational institutions have a central role in the development of human resources, as well as superior research works.

"When a job is lost and new types of work emerge, it must be responded by higher education. When the political, economic, and social landscape change, the research agenda and the university`s devotion will also change," he pointed out

Source: ANTARA