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In his opening remarks, ITB Vice Rector for Communication, Partnerships, Alumni Relations, and Administration (WRKMAA), Dr. A. Rikrik Kusmara, S.Sn., M.Sn., emphasized that this lecture offers students a valuable opportunity to gain direct insights into national and global employment trends. He added that ITB is currently undertaking curriculum transformation to ensure its graduates are better able to adapt to rapid changes in industry, technology, and the labor market.

“In recent years, ITB has been renewing its curriculum so that students who will graduate in the next 2–3 years—and take part in shaping Indonesia over the next 5–10 years—can become human resources who are adaptive to national and global labor challenges,” he said.

Challenges in the Changing Landscape of Employment

In his presentation, Prof. Yassierli outlined Indonesia’s structural labor challenges, including the high unemployment rate among university graduates and the dominance of the informal sector. He noted that Indonesia’s digital skills remain relatively low compared to those of developed countries.

“Today, a large portion of Indonesia’s workforce is in the informal sector—freelancers, ride-hailing drivers, and small-scale entrepreneurs. This proportion continues to rise, reflecting the emergence of new forms of work such as affiliate marketers,” he explained.

He highlighted that the world of work is undergoing rapid transformation driven by conditions often referred to as VUCA or BANI, characterized by uncertainty, complexity, and rapid change. Navigating this shift requires resilience and adaptability.

Prof. Yassierli identified three global forces reshaping the workforce: AI & Digitalization Disruption; Green Transition & Sustainability; Demographic & Economic Shifts. These changes, he noted, are exponential and are simultaneously creating new jobs while displacing routine tasks. Robotics, digital platforms, and artificial intelligence have become dominant forces accelerating this shift.

Integrating Technology and Human Skills for Future Talent Development

Prof. Yassierli emphasized that technology should be understood as augmented intelligence—a tool that enhances human capacity rather than replacing it. He underscored the importance of a people-centric approach, placing humans at the center of design, decision-making, and system development. Students must not only understand how to use technology but also how to integrate it strategically to improve efficiency, expand analytical capabilities, and strengthen creativity.

“Technology is not here to take over our roles—it is here to expand what we can do,” he stated.

He explained that future competence cannot rely solely on technical expertise. A combination of technical, soft, and cognitive skills will become increasingly vital as automation expands across sectors. While global companies are beginning to assess AI literacy during recruitment, interpersonal abilities and integrity remain fundamental qualities in the professional world.

Through this Studium Generale, Prof. Yassierli encouraged ITB students to develop themselves as future-ready talents, capable of integrating digital literacy with human-centered capabilities. He urged students to continually strengthen adaptability, critical thinking, and social awareness so they can become a generation prepared to face future challenges and contribute meaningfully to Indonesia’s development.