Jakarta, 15 October 2025 – In anticipation of National Creative Economy Day, which falls on 24 October, Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar specifically challenged university students to become agents of change. The Deputy Minister encouraged the younger generation to utilize social media to educate the public and “make viral” the potential of the creative economy as Indonesia’s new engine of national economic growth amid the rapid advancement of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) era.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kemenekraf - Wakil Menteri Ekonomi Kreatif, Irene Umar, memberikan kuliah umum bertema “Innovation Forward: Creativity, Technology, AI, and the Future of Indonesia" di Sampoerna University, Jakarta, Rabu (15/10/2025).
“On 24 October, we will commemorate National Creative Economy Day. Make use of your social media platforms. Use unique approaches to explain to the world what the creative economy is, how it can change the world, and how it can become a real engine of growth,” said Deputy Minister Irene while delivering a public lecture titled “Innovation Forward: Creativity, Technology, AI, and the Future of Indonesia” at Sampoerna University, Jakarta, on Wednesday, 15 October 2025.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that public understanding of the creative economy as a new driver of national economic growth remains limited. Therefore, she called on students to leverage social media technology to help disseminate education related to the creative economy.
“Indonesia is the only country in the ASEAN region that applies the hexahelix approach, bringing together six stakeholders to move in the same direction. This cross-sector collaboration is the key to successful innovation. Academia and research play a vital role so that we do not fall behind, and students are an integral part of that future,” explained the Deputy Minister.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
Deputy Minister Irene also emphasized that the world is currently undergoing the Fourth Industrial Revolution, in which AI, automation, and green technology are the main drivers of global transformation. According to her, Indonesia has tremendous potential to become a major force in economic growth, supported by its large population of creative and culturally rooted young people.
“We are entering a new decade in which creativity, technology, and AI must be viewed as supporting tools in how we work and create. Indonesia’s young generation stands at the heart of this transformation,” added the Deputy Minister.
In addition, the Deputy Minister encouraged academics to strengthen research and scientific publications on the creative economy, including in-depth studies across subsectors such as games, animation, and emerging technologies. She emphasized that Indonesia has become a reference point for many countries in Asia, but must continue to innovate in order to maintain its leadership.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
“With strong research and creative communication, we can demonstrate to the world that Indonesia is a center of creative economy innovation,” she added.
Sampoerna University, a private university offering an American-style higher education with four faculties including business, technology, and the arts, opened the new academic year with a seminar aimed at fostering critical thinking and an innovative mindset. Rector of Sampoerna University, Wahdi Salasi April Yudhi, emphasized the importance of character and an innovative mindset amid the rapid pace of technological revolution.
“Although technology, including AI, is developing rapidly, human creativity remains the soul of innovation. At Sampoerna University, we instill values such as curiosity, imagination, and courage to shape students who are critical thinkers with strong integrity,” said Rector Wahdi.
Dok. Biro Komunikasi Kementerian Ekonomi Kreatif/Badan Ekonomi Kreatif.
Through collaboration between the government and academia, the Ministry of Creative Economy is optimistic about nurturing innovators who are not only creative and adaptive to technological advancement, but also possess strong character and global competitiveness.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
