DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇩 Indonesia /Technology

IdeaFest 2026 Puts Human Strength at the Center of the AI Era with “Re:Humanize”

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • IdeaFest 2026 will take place from Sept. 4 to 6 at the Jakarta International Convention Center under the theme “Re:Humanize.”
  • The festival will examine how people can retain creativity, empathy and purpose while using AI across the creative economy.
  • More than 500 speakers will join over 160 sessions, alongside interactive areas featuring local brands, small businesses and creators.

IdeaFest is returning for its 15th edition with a question at the heart of the festival: what keeps humans important when artificial intelligence is changing how people work and create?

Held from Sept. 4 to 6 at the Jakarta International Convention Center in Senayan, IdeaFest 2026 carries the theme “Re:Humanize.” The event invites the public to consider how humans can remain in control in an increasingly automated world, while using technology to expand their abilities without losing creativity, empathy and meaning.

The theme reflects the growing presence of AI in Indonesia’s workforce. PwC data cited by the festival says 69 percent of Indonesian workers used AI during the past year to make their work easier, while 16 percent used it every day. Indonesia’s creative economy contributes more than 1,500 trillion rupiah to national gross domestic product and supports up to 26.5 million jobs. Organizers describe AI as a major opportunity for innovation in design, animation, gaming and digital marketing.

This year, through ‘Re:Humanize’, we want to invite the public to look again at what keeps humans important amid the development of AI, and how technology can expand human potential without losing creativity, empathy and meaning.

· Ben SoebiaktoIdeaFest’s co-chair explained the purpose of the festival’s 2026 theme.

“This year, through ‘Re:Humanize’, we want to invite the public to look again at what keeps humans important amid the development of AI, and how technology can expand human potential without losing creativity, empathy and meaning,” said Ben Soebiakto, IdeaFest’s co-chair.

The program includes more than 160 IdeaTalks sessions and over 500 speakers from different generations and industries. The lineup includes public figures such as Najwa Shihab, Dian Sastrowardoyo, Tom Lembong, Pandji Pragiwaksono, Sherina Munaf, Jovial da Lopez and Kamila Andini, as well as industry leaders and experts including Tony Fernandes, Boon Ken Wong, Veronica Utami, Vikram Sinha, Agnes Rahajeng, Herald van der Linde and Kavindra Airlangga. Discussions will cover AI’s effects on culture, business, entertainment and human connection. Interactive attractions include IdeaFest Picks, a marketplace for local brands, small businesses and creators, and Collect Con.

AI gives us the ability to do more things faster. However, humans are the ones who continue to determine the direction, purpose and impact.

· Ovidia NomiaThe Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison executive described the relationship between technology and human judgment.
About this summary

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog