Saturday, 24 October 2026
SUKABUMI | INDATANEWS.COM - Advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and digital platforms are transforming the skills required in the workplace. Young people must therefore acquire not only scientific and technological knowledge but also develop critical thinking, communication skills, teamwork and integrity.
Indonesia's Labour Minister, Yassierli, has outlined five key principles to help the younger generation prepare for these changes. His 5T formula comprises Think, Tech, Talk, Team and Trust. The five elements represent a balanced combination of intellectual ability, technological knowledge, social skills, collaboration and strong character, all of which are essential for navigating changes in the world of work.Yassierli introduced the formula on Monday, 12 October 2026, at the opening of the "Grand Opening Albacadabra" event at SMA Pesantren Unggul Al Bayan in Sukabumi. He believes young people have enormous potential to contribute to the country's development if they deliberately adapt their skills to the challenges of the future.
"Many talented and competent young people can become a national asset. To help them develop into a capable generation of Indonesians in the future, I have summarised five key requirements in the terms Think, Tech, Talk, Team and Trust," Yassierli said.Amid the growing flood of information in the digital space, critical thinking also helps young people distinguish reliable information from misleading content. They should develop the habit of checking sources, considering different perspectives and avoiding the uncritical acceptance of information.
The Tech element, meanwhile, highlights the importance of understanding technological developments, data and artificial intelligence. Technological knowledge is not relevant only to students specialising in science or information technology. Young people from other academic disciplines must also understand how technology influences the workplace, decision-making processes and everyday life.According to Yassierli, the ability to adapt to technological developments is essential for future careers. Young people should therefore be willing to keep learning, improve their skills and use digital tools in ways that meet changing needs.
However, mastering technology does not mean allowing machines to take over every thinking process. AI can assist with data searches, information processing and speeding up workflows. Users must nevertheless consider the accuracy of its results, the consequences of their decisions and their responsibility for their actions."Make the best possible use of AI. It will become our partner in processing and searching for data. It will never be able to replace humans. Those who succeed will be the ones who can work alongside AI. However, this must go hand in hand with empathy, wisdom and responsibility in its use," Yassierli stressed.
This approach positions AI as a tool that supports human capabilities. Young people must learn how to use technology while preserving their ability to make critical judgements, demonstrate social sensitivity and act ethically. By taking this approach, they can make productive use of technological opportunities without losing sight of fundamental human values.
Alongside critical thinking and technological knowledge, the 5T formula includes Talk and Team. These elements are intended to help young people build professional relationships. Both highlight the fact that career success depends not only on individual abilities but also on how people communicate and work with others.
Through Talk, Yassierli encourages the younger generation to listen actively, express their thoughts clearly and improve their foreign-language skills. Effective communication helps people explain ideas, understand the needs of others, resolve disagreements and establish productive working relationships.Communication becomes even more important when people work in environments shaped by different social backgrounds, professional disciplines and cultures. Foreign-language proficiency can broaden access to knowledge, facilitate international partnerships and help young people adapt to a global working environment.
The Team element emphasises the ability to collaborate, develop solutions together and adapt to changing circumstances in pursuit of shared goals. In a constantly evolving workplace, employees must value their colleagues' contributions, understand their responsibilities and remain open to learning from different perspectives.Collaboration also plays an important role in the use of AI. Technology can perform certain tasks and make them easier to complete. However, people must still coordinate their work, review decisions and ensure that processes remain aligned with their intended objectives. Young people should therefore combine technological knowledge with social skills to make a meaningful contribution to their teams' success.
Bringing communication and teamwork together enables the younger generation to tackle increasingly complex challenges. They are expected not only to develop new ideas but also to communicate them clearly, accept feedback and turn them into practical action alongside others.
The fifth element, Trust, places honesty, accountability and integrity at the heart of building trust. Yassierli stressed that professional competence must be accompanied by strong character so that people can fulfil their duties and make decisions responsibly.
In the workplace, expertise can help people secure career opportunities. Integrity, however, plays a crucial role in determining whether others can trust their work and decisions. Honesty, reliability and the courage to uphold personal principles are particularly important when people face pressure or must make decisions that conflict with their convictions."Professional competence opens doors, while integrity builds trust. You must act with integrity and have the courage to say no when something goes against your conscience," Yassierli explained.
This message highlights the fact that young people's readiness for the future cannot be measured solely by their technological knowledge or level of qualifications. They must also take responsibility, respect ethical principles and consider the impact of their actions on others.When using AI, integrity also means applying technological outputs honestly, sharing information thoughtfully and carefully checking a system's results before using them as the basis for decisions. Even increasingly sophisticated technologies require users who take responsibility for their actions and the results of their work.
Through the 5T formula, Yassierli hopes young Indonesians will develop into competent individuals with strong character who can make a positive contribution to society. The approach demonstrates that the future of work requires a combination of critical thinking, technological competence, communication, collaboration and integrity.For young people, these five principles can provide a foundation for preparing for changes across different professions and meeting emerging skills requirements. The ability to use AI should go hand in hand with a willingness to continue learning, collaborate with others and uphold human values in every decision.
The 5T formula also conveys the message that technological progress does not diminish the importance of people. Instead, young people must continue developing their distinctive abilities to use technology responsibly, build trust and create tangible benefits for society as the world of work evolves. (IDNC)REPORTER: Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
