UIII Joins Plenary Session of the Academic Senate at UNY to Discuss AI in Higher Education

November 08, 2024

Contributor: Dadi Darmadi | Editor: Supriyono | Photo: Dadi Darmadi 

Yogyakarta – On Friday, November 8, 2024, Dr. M. Rifqi Muna, Chair of the Academic Senate at Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), joined by Prof. Dian Masyita and other UIII delegates, attended the Plenary Session of the Academic Senate of State Universities with Legal Entities (PTN-BH) at Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY). This event, held at UNY's Rectorate Building, brought together representatives from 24 universities to discuss the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in academia.

Speakers from leading institutions spoke to the technology’s impact on the academic landscape. Prof. Herman Dwi Surjono of UNY underscored the pace of AI development, noting that “humans are hooked, machines are learning.” His remarks highlighted the urgency for educational institutions to adapt to the digital shift underway. 

Echoing these sentiments, Widyawan, Ph.D., of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) emphasized the need for preparedness among educators and administrators. “Industrial and technological revolutions have a direct bearing on the need to rethink curricula and reshape teaching models,” he said, pointing to a future in which AI reshapes not only job markets but the methods by which students learn. 

Prof. Ahmad M. Ramli of Universitas Padjadjaran offered a grounded perspective, framing AI as a tool, not an entity. “AI is an instrument, not an agent,” he remarked, calling for clear regulations to ensure that the benefits of AI outweigh potential risks. “It’s a tool we cannot ignore, but it requires defined guidelines to make sure it serves rather than undermines our goals.” 

For UIII, participating in this pivotal discussion on AI in higher education signifies an important step toward establishing itself as a forward-thinking institution prepared to integrate emerging technologies. By joining leading universities in addressing the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, UIII reinforces its commitment to preparing students for a rapidly evolving digital landscape.