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Commemorating Indonesia’s National Heroes Day, Microsoft Indonesia has announced the launch of the second year of Microsoft Elevate Indonesia, an artificial intelligence (AI) training initiative that has equipped more than 1.2 million participants with AI skills since its launch in December 2024. Entering its second year, the program will focus on empowering the modern-day heroes who are driving people-driven AI innovation, aiming to educate 500,000 certified AI talents—especially educators, nonprofit leaders, and community leaders who are empowering their communities through technology—by 2026.
Previously known as elevAIte Indonesia, its first-year achievements demonstrate strong enthusiasm for AI learning across Indonesian society. As its learning ecosystem continues to grow, Microsoft Elevate aims to provide even more in-depth learning through a multi-stakeholder approach to equip Indonesians with the skills, tools, and knowledge to thrive in the age of AI and advance the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. According to the IDC Study released in September 2025, by September 2030, every $1 spent on AI skilling will help drive the adoption of AI solutions, potentially generating $75 of new value added to the Indonesian economy[1] .
Boni Pudjianto, Head of the Human Resources Development Agency at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), said, “Sustaining the momentum of digital talent development remains our top priority, in line with the direction of the national digital transformation agenda. Through flagship programs such as the Professional Academy, Government Transformation Academy, and Fresh Graduate Academy under the DigiTalent ecosystem, Komdigi continues to innovate in preparing resilient and adaptive human resources to face the challenges of the digital era. We are enthusiastic in supporting this collaboration with Microsoft Elevate to enable the nation’s best talents to keep growing and creating positive impact for the wider public.”
“The public’s enthusiasm for AI learning has grown into a broader movement, led directly by learners and the communities they form,” said Arief Suseno, Elevate Skills Director, Microsoft. “This year, we want to build on that momentum by going beyond participation numbers to create deeper, measurable impact. Our focus is on helping individuals and organizations apply AI skills to solve real challenges and drive meaningful transformation in their communities.”
The tagline “Bergerak, Hadirkan Dampak” (Create Change, Elevate the Impact), reflects the program’s goal to encourage participants not only to learn, but also to apply AI in real contexts. The program uses a 40 percent learning and 60 percent practice approach, leveraging a variety of Microsoft tools including Copilot and Minecraft Education among others to help participants apply their knowledge effectively.
In order to achieve its target, the implementation of Microsoft Elevate in Indonesia will be divided into three main pillars. Each pillar will collaborate with different institutions, organizations, and communities in order to connect people across Indonesia with the AI opportunities inclusively. The three pillars are:
- Delivering innovative solutions for education: Microsoft Elevate, in collaboration with Biji-biji Initiative, NUCare, Mata Garuda (the Association of LPDP Scholarship Recipients), and Alkademi, launched the AI Teaching Power and AI Coding for Educators programs to train teachers and students in leveraging AI for learning—enhancing 21st-century skills and computational thinking. Supported by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemdikbudristek), the program was launched in Malang on October 9, 2025, and will conclude with a national AI coding challenge, where students can showcase their creativity and logical thinking in solving real-world problems using Minecraft Education. In addition, LPDP scholarship recipients, through Yayasan Mata Garuda, will serve as mentors—providing training and guidance to local communities across 38 provinces in Indonesia to learn about and apply AI technology in practice.
- Empowering civil society with AI skills to thrive in the AI economy: According to the Microsoft Work Trend Index 2025[2], despite the limited availability of digital talent, demand for workers with AI skills continues to grow rapidly in Indonesia. To address this need, Microsoft Elevate continues to promote inclusive AI skills development through collaborations with various partners that empower diverse communities across the country. Fokus Target supports workers in the creative economy sector, helping them master how to work alongside AI to produce creative works much faster. Alunjiva focuses on vulnerable groups, youth, persons with disabilities, and women-led MSMEs across Indonesia—with five priority locations—equipping them with AI literacy and skills to use Copilot effectively. GreatNusa, under BINUS University, empowers students, MSME communities, entrepreneurs, young professionals, aspiring business owners, and youth communities formed by churches to gain international certifications and participate in career development programs. Meanwhile, Dicoding strengthens the ecosystem of IT professionals and developers by providing hands-on learning that covers Microsoft Fabric, Azure, Python, and generative AI, as well as by establishing the Elevate Training Center to deepen the technical competencies of professionals and community leaders.
- Helping governments make informed decisions through insights and advocacy: In collaboration with BINAR and AMANA Solutions, Microsoft Elevate will not only provide AI skills training for civil servants in order to provide even better public services, but also policymakers and senior leaders to deepen understanding of responsible AI, governance, and strategic adoption. A collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK) in October 2025 marked a concrete step in equipping government leaders with AI skills for data-driven decision making and precision policy.
Wahyu Bagus Yuliantok (Bagus), Chairperson of Mata Garuda said, “As recipients of scholarships funded by the nation, LPDP alumni are deeply committed to giving back to our surrounding communities. Through Microsoft Elevate, we’re channeling the knowledge we’ve gained to empower communities in 38 provinces with AI and digital skills—so they can compete confidently on the global stage.”
This collaboration is a clear testament to Microsoft’s commitment to inclusively reach and empower communities across Indonesia through Microsoft Elevate.
“Programs like Microsoft Elevate are paving the way for a brighter future for Indonesia. By expanding access to AI training and digital certification, we’re boosting the next generation of digital talent—ready to lead and transform the nation,” said Bagus.
Ultimately, Microsoft Elevate aims to support people-driven AI innovation. One inspiring example comes from Anis Damayanti, Principal of Sekolah Luar Biasa IDAYU in Malang, East Java. Motivated by Indonesia’s national agenda to introduce AI in schools, she began self-learning before joining the AI skilling program by BINAR, one of the Microsoft Elevate partners, pioneering inclusive innovation by integrating AI into special needs education. Through AI tools like Scratch Junior and adaptive innovations such as ‘smart canes’ with audio features, Anis is transforming learning for students with disabilities, empowering them to be more confident, independent, and ready to thrive in a technology-driven future.
“Indonesia’s digital future is not just about technology, it is about who shapes it,” concluded Arief. “Through Microsoft Elevate, we want to ensure that everyone, from teachers in remote areas to policymakers in Jakarta, has the opportunity to take part in this transformation.”
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[1] IDC Info Snapshot, sponsored by Microsoft, Indonesia AI Skilling Impact, Doc. #AP249606X, September 2025
[2] Microsoft Releases 2025 Work Trend Index Report: Unlocking Indonesia’s Potential Through Human–AI Collaboration – Indonesia News Center