The U.S. Department of State’s Embassy Jakarta announces an open competition to implement the AI Pathways to the Future program, a comprehensive initiative designed to strengthen U.S.-Indonesia partnerships in artificial intelligence education, research, and innovation.

Promoting AI innovation and security is a top priority of the United States government, including in its foreign policy. By deepening U.S. - Indonesia bilateral educational cooperation in the field of AI, Indonesia’s future AI innovators will build critical relationships with American technology, standards, and thought, thus strengthening pathways to long term collaborations and AI-ready workforces to boost unparalleled economic growth.

The program consists of two interconnected components:

Component 1: AI Pathways Workshop (Fall 2026)

A multi-day workshop bringing together representatives from 2-3 U.S. higher education institutions (HEIs) with AI research hubs, 3-4 Indonesian universities exploring AI research partnerships, 1-2 U.S. technology companies, and AI-focused alumni of U.S. government exchange programs and U.S. universities. The workshop will engage Indonesian college students and faculty in discussions about AI innovation career pathways, and institutional development.

Component 2: Five-Month AI Innovation Mentorship Challenge

Following the workshop, U.S. professors will launch mentoring relationships with Indonesian professors and high-performing students who will compete to build AI-powered solutions addressing pressing Jakarta infrastructure challenges such as waste management, flooding, traffic congestion, or urban planning. The challenge culminates in project presentations to an expert panel, with the winning solution receiving a certificate and being promoted through social media and press engagement.

Target Audiences:

-         Indonesian university students interested in AI and technology careers

-         Indonesian university faculty and administrators developing AI programs

-         Indonesian education and AI policymakers

-         STEM-focused high school students

-         Alumni of U.S. Government exchange programs with AI expertise

Expected Outcomes:

-         Strengthened partnerships between U.S. and Indonesian higher education institutions in AI research.

-         Increased Indonesian student interest in U.S. graduate programs in AI and related fields.

-         Development of practical AI solutions to Indonesian infrastructure challenges.

-         Enhanced understanding of U.S. opportunities in AI higher education and employment.

-         Exploration of scholarship opportunities and potential Jakarta-based innovation hub development.

-         EducationUSA advisers will participate throughout the program, providing information on pathways to U.S. study for students interested in graduate programs, conducting workshops, and offering one-to-one advising for program participants.