STEI ITB Holds National Seminar, Discusses AI and Industry for Nation's Progress and Sovereignty
By Erika Winfellina Sibarani - Mahasiswa Matematika, 2021
Editor M. Naufal Hafizh, S.S.
BANDUNG, itb.ac.id – In celebration of its 19th anniversary, the School of Electrical Engineering and Informatics at Institut Teknologi Bandung (SEEI ITB) held a national seminar titled “AI and Industry for the Sovereignty and Progress of the Nation” at the West Hall of ITB’s Ganesha Campus, on Friday, February 21, 2025.
The seminar presented speakers from various fields, namely the Deputy for Coordination of Commerce and Digital Economy, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Dr. Ir. Ali Murtopo Simbolon, S.T., S.Si., M.M., M.T., IPU; Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Dr. Ir. Ismail, M.T.; Senior Vice President Transformation Management Office of PT Pindad Persero Kuncoro Budhi Wisnu; President Director of PT Menara Inti Kreasi Indonesia Djony C. Sabadjan; Deputy President Director of PT Bio Farma Persero Soleh Udin Al Ayubi; Director of Risk Management of PT PLN Persero Ir. Suroso Isnandar, M.T.; Professor of Law at Padjadjaran University Prof. Dr. Ahmad M. Ramli, S.H., M.H., FCBArb; Senior Director and Head of International Policy of Bank Indonesia Haris Munandar; Co-Founder and CEO of Nodeflux Meidy Fitranto; and Plt. Head of the Strategic Policy Center of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Oki Suryowahono.
Dean of SEEI ITB, Dr. Tutun Juhana, S.T., M.T., said the seminar addressed the development of various industrial sectors, particularly in defense, health technology, and semiconductor and energy technologies to support national independence.
“We still share the same concern—that despite our capabilities, there are very few Indonesian technology products used by our own people. That is why today we want to discuss both the challenges and possible solutions we can propose to stakeholders so that domestic industrial products can be more widely adopted in our beloved country,” he said.
Additionally, the development of artificial intelligence was highlighted as an equally important topic. “We believe AI can bring significant change toward achieving our shared goal of building a prosperous nation. However, we must also ensure that AI is developed and applied with principles that uphold human values, for a better future for Indonesia,” added Dr. Tutun.
In his address, ITB Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Tatacipta Dirgantara, M.T., emphasized the critical role of educational institutions in advancing technology and innovation. “Lecturers are needed not only to teach and conduct research but because a university’s function is to enlighten the nation—as a lighthouse, a beacon of progress. Although SEEI is officially 19 years old, its history dates back to the 1940s, which means over 85 years of legacy. Therefore, we aim to take SEEI’s journey forward, to develop science for the nation’s independence and progress,” he said.
The Rector also stressed the importance of collaboration between academia, industry, and government to build an inclusive ecosystem. Such collaboration will ensure that technological advancements benefit society at large.
Translator: Nafi'ah Rahni Nugrahanti (Civil Engineering Student, 2023).
