Minister Budi Arie Urges Women to Harness AI to Address Gender Disparities

Jakarta, INTI - The utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology is one of the key supporters of national digital transformation acceleration. Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Budi Arie Setiadi, is encouraging women to leverage this latest digital technology to reduce the gender gap that still persists.

"The utilization of AI can have a positive impact, especially if women's involvement is increased. Women can bring diversity to the use of AI through gender-neutral algorithm settings," he said during a Keynote Speech Talkshow and Workshop on Enhancing Women’s Digital Talent: Mastering Generative AI, held virtually from South Jakarta on Thursday (05/02/2024).

According to Minister Budi Arie, global AI development has not been entirely inclusive. Citing the results of the World Economic Forum Study in 2023, gender disparities in AI development still exist, with women working in AI at only 30%.

"The proportion of women delving into AI as an advanced study also remains at only 20%," he emphasized.

The Minister of Communication and Information Technology sees bias and gender as issues that can perpetuate negative stereotypes against women and hinder women's participation in AI development. Therefore, Minister Budi Arie hopes that women's participation will minimize the negative impacts of AI utilization.

"AI automation also has the potential to threaten women's positions in various lines of work, thus mitigation is needed. AI utilization can be used for preventing violence in the workplace, family, and children," he added.

Minister Budi Arie explained the achievements of President Joko Widodo's administration, which has attracted AI investment by accepting Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella's initiative of USD 1.7 billion or around Rp27.6 trillion.

"This investment is allocated for AI and Cloud development in Indonesia, with the target of AI skills training for 840 thousand people, digital infrastructure, and support for the Indonesian developer community," he explained.

Through Microsoft's investment initiative as a well-known global company, Minister Budi Arie hopes to help Indonesia realize and achieve the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045.

"It is also hoped to enhance Indonesia's position as part of the global supply chain and a global economic force, especially in the field of artificial intelligence," he expressed.

The Talkshow and Workshop on Enhancing Women’s Digital Talent are part of the celebration of Kartini Day and National Education Day, resulting from collaboration between the Human Resources Development Agency of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Microsoft, and the Women's Empowerment Union of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology.

In addition to Minister Budi Arie Setiadi, present virtually were Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati and Minister of Manpower Ida Fauziyah.

Meanwhile, at the event held at the STMM Yogyakarta Auditorium, Secretary General of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Mira Tayyiba, Head of BPSDM of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Hary Budiarto, and Advisor to DWP of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology Dina Budi Arie were present.