Minister says AI skills key to job opportunities in digital era

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Minister of Manpower Yassierli emphasised mastery of artificial intelligence (AI) skills is key to enhancing the competitiveness of Indonesia's workforce amid changing industry demands and job opportunities in the digital era.

During the opening of AI Career Boost Day 2026 Job Fair here on Tuesday, Yassierli said AI skills have become a major added value in the recruitment process as industries increasingly seek digital talent across various sectors.

"Before becoming a minister, I worked extensively as a consultant for more than 50 companies. For me, there is now no choice. If there are two candidates with the same accounting competencies, my question would be, who has a better command of AI?" Yassierli remarked.

He added AI has now become a skill required in almost every field of work, not only professions related to information technology. Anyone could learn to use AI as long as they are willing to continue learning.

"AI does not mean someone has to graduate from computer engineering or a related field. It is a practical skill that can be learned by anyone, as long as they are diligent and willing to learn," he explained.

Yassierli also shared his experience attending the BRICS Labor and Employment Ministers' Meeting in Hyderabad, India, which is now recognised as one of the world's leading hubs for digital talent and AI.

Based on discussions with industry players in Hyderabad, Yassierli noted that recruitment of digital and AI talent in India rose by 11 percent over the past year. In contrast, recruitment for white-collar jobs in general declined by 9 percent.

He also cited the Future of Jobs Report 2030 by the World Economic Forum, which projects the creation of around 170 million new jobs and the displacement of 92 million jobs due to technological changes.

In addition, most of the skills used today are expected to undergo significant changes over the next decade, requiring workers to continuously upgrade their competencies. Adressing the challenges, the Ministry is preparing AI governance related to the labor sector.

"We are building collaboration with all stakeholders, including Microsoft. Earlier, Microsoft said it has trained 50,000 workers, whether they are part of the workforce or participating in upskilling programmes," Yassierli remarked.

He added LinkedIn data show demand for jobs requiring digital and AI skills in Southeast Asia increased 2.4-fold between 2021 and 2023. The trend is expected to continue, making AI proficiency a competitive advantage for job seekers.

However, AI skills must be complemented by critical thinking, communication, collaboration, problem-solving, empathy, and decision-making abilities.

Based on a survey, Yassierli mentioned around 69 percent of company leaders in Indonesia prefer candidates with AI skills, although interpersonal skills remain an important factor in the workplace.

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