Indonesian Student Wins Gold Medal in Japan for AI Diplomacy Simulation Innovation

Indonesian student Kenzio Muhammad Raharjo, just 13 years old, earned international acclaim at the Japan Design, Idea and Invention Expo (JDIE) 2026 in Osaka. He secured both a Gold Medal and a Special Award for The Best International Invention and Innovation for his creation, MUNspark.

MUNspark is an AI-powered platform that simulates diplomatic scenarios. It aims to equip students with essential skills like critical thinking, negotiation, communication, and global leadership. Kenzio's motivation stemmed from observing the uneven access to high-quality diplomacy and debate training during his own participation in Model United Nations (MUN) conferences and international competitions.

He noticed that talented students, particularly those from under-resourced schools or non-English speaking backgrounds, often missed out on opportunities due to cost or lack of experienced mentors. This disparity fueled his vision to democratize diplomacy and global leadership training through technology. MUNspark allows students to practice independently, receive real-time feedback, and enhance their skills without relying on traditional, often expensive, training methods.

Kenzio's innovation is also recognized with a Patent Pending status for its "Adaptive Argument Evaluation and Iterative Feedback System for Diplomatic Debate Simulation." This technology forms the core of MUNspark, a platform designed to bridge educational access gaps. "Many students have extraordinary potential, but not all have the same access to develop these abilities. I hope technology can help open broader opportunities for them to learn, practice, and grow," Kenzio stated.

“

Many students have potential that is extraordinary, but not all have the same access to develop these abilities. I hope technology can help open broader opportunities for them to learn, practice, and grow.