Indonesian program trains teachers in AI to speed up post-disaster education recovery

In Aceh Utara, Indonesia, a vital program is underway to bolster education recovery in disaster-affected regions. The initiative, organized by the Telecommunications and Information Accessibility Agency (BAKTI) of the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) in collaboration with the Cemerlang Indonesiaku Foundation (YCIK), focuses on empowering educators with digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities.

The 23-day program, running from June 15 to July 7, 2026, involves 49 participants including teachers, principals, educational staff, and community learning center managers from Aceh Utara and Lhokseumawe. Participants represent various educational levels, from early childhood education to vocational high schools.

Sudarmanto, acting director of Community and Government Information and Telecommunication Services at BAKTI Komdigi, emphasized that digital infrastructure development must be paired with human resource capacity building for optimal impact. "BAKTI believes that digital transformation does not stop at providing internet access. Infrastructure will have optimal impact when supported by human resources capable of utilizing it productively," Sudarmanto stated.

He further highlighted the potential of AI to enhance teaching methods. "The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) opens opportunities for teachers to present more creative, effective, and engaging learning processes. However, AI must be positioned as a supporting technology that strengthens teacher capacity, not replaces their role in educating students," he added.

The training curriculum includes modules on Teaching Mastery, Active Learning, AI utilization for education, creating educational video content, educational data analytics, digital transformation in education, and public service management. Participants engage in training, practical exercises, and mentorship to ensure they can apply their new skills directly in their respective schools. A key component involves participants working in ten groups to produce AI-based learning videos.