JAKARTA, INDONESIA - Through its overseas centres, SMU brings research, expertise and dialogue directly into key regional ecosystems, engaging educators, industry leaders and policymakers in conversations that matter to their local contexts.

This was evident in Jakarta, where SMU Indonesia engaged with over 200 high school educators at the 5th Association of National and Private Schools Indonesia (ANPS) Technology Conference.

Invited by ANPS as keynote speaker, Professor Sun Sun Lim, SMU Vice President (Partnerships and Engagement) and Lee Kong Chian Professor of Communication & Technology at the College of Integrative Studies, kicked off the conference with an inspiring talk titled Humanising Technology: Reflections on Design, Ethics and Inclusion. Drawing from her research across Asia on how families and youth interact with technology, Prof Lim challenged educators to consider how AI-driven tools are reshaping childhood, learning and social norms. The session formed part of SMU's ongoing efforts in Indonesia to contribute research-led perspectives to discussions on technology, education and the future of work.

Her research highlights a growing intimacy between children and AI-powered devices and platforms, where tools such as conversational agents increasingly mediate play, learning and interaction.

Prof Lim cautioned that these technologies, while powerful, can also be manipulative if not designed and governed with care. She urged educators to foreground digital rights and to equip young people with the critical awareness needed to navigate such environments safely.

The discussion extended beyond classrooms to the future workplace. Prof Lim noted how AI is accelerating the erosion of traditional career paths, creating pressure for workers to continually adapt. Universities, she said, must therefore prepare students not for linear professions, but for a more fluid and uncertain employment landscape.

Central to her message was a call to redefine innovation. Rather than pursuing technology solely for efficiency or commercial gain, she encouraged educators to embed ethics and human-centric thinking into teaching and design processes from the outset.

The Algorithmic Childhood

A primary concern raised by Prof Lim is the increasing intimacy between children and AI-driven hardware. Her research indicates that the nature of play has shifted from static toys to toys coupled with conversational agents that possess a unique, and sometimes troubling, influence over young users.

"Today devices that children are playing with are powered by chatbots that are talking to the child," Prof Lim noted. "Chatbots are able to use what the child says to engage with the child in ways that could be manipulative."

She cautioned that because these interactions are not always benign, the current evolution necessitates a shift in education to focus on children's digital rights. The goal is to ensure children are protected and empowered, rather than exploited by the tools they use.

The Evolution of Work: Beyond the 'Salaryman'

The impact of AI extends far beyond the classroom into the future workplace. Prof Lim illustrated this change by citing the decline of the traditional Japanese "salaryman" model - a symbol of lifelong stability and single-company devotion.

With AI accelerating the disappearance of traditional career paths, Prof Lim highlighted that universities like SMU are already pivoting to prepare students for a more volatile environment. "The question before us is how do we educate our young to ensure that they will not be displaced but augmented by AI," she noted. "Career paths have become more varied, so there is constant pressure to keep up."

Heart over Hardware

According to Prof Lim, the way forward requires a shift in how we define "innovation." She advocated for a move away from purely commercial gains toward societal good and human-centric design.

Prof Lim urged educators to view ethics not as a barrier, but as a fundamental component of the design process.

The core of this transition lies in education. Rather than viewing ethics as a barrier to progress, Prof Lim urged educators to embed it into teaching at all levels.

"Ethics should not be a brake on innovation but should serve as its compass." The audience was highly engaged and asked many questions relating to how they should meaningfully and effectively introduce AI into their teaching.

For SMU Indonesia, such engagements reflect the purpose of the overseas centre: to connect SMU's research strengths with local stakeholders and contribute meaningfully to national and regional discourse.

Shoeb Kagda, Country Director for SMU Indonesia, noted that as AI becomes increasingly embedded across education and industry, understanding its broader social implications will be critical for educators and policymakers alike.

"This is where SMU can play an important role in engaging with Indonesian stakeholders by providing valuable insights on how AI is shaping the education sector given its deep research and expertise."

This engagement in Jakarta is part of SMU's broader efforts across its overseas centres to drive conversations, share knowledge and build long-term relationships as the region's gateway university. By bringing faculty expertise directly into regional platforms, SMU strengthens its role as a valuable partner in shaping how societies across Asia respond to technological change.