A total of 60 researchers and innovators in Artificial Intelligence (AI) from various faculties and work units at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) gathered to build networks among academics, practitioners, and policymakers.
With a spirit of collaboration, UGM aims to position AI as a transformative tool to address both local and global challenges while strengthening its identity as a world-class research university.
This was highlighted during the “Meet and Greet: AI-Based Innovators and Researchers,” held at the Multimedia Room, UGM Central Building, on Wednesday (Apr. 30).
Initiated by the UGM Bureau of Digital Transformation (BTD), the event served as a platform for dialogue among researchers from various disciplines who share an interest in and experience with developing AI technologies.
Head of UGM’s BTD, Mardhani Riasetiawan, stated that the forum is part of efforts to bring together AI innovators from across faculties and foster the emergence of new, transdisciplinary, and practical collaborations.
“This approach is necessary because real-world AI implementation challenges often involve complex variables that cannot be solved by a single field alone,” he said.
He further emphasized that the success of this transformation depends greatly on synergy between disciplines and the willingness to break out of academic silos.
Riasetiawan emphasized UGM’s intention to become a hub for digital innovators capable of designing inclusive and contextually relevant AI-based solutions.
According to him, AI development in universities must go beyond following tech trends and instead respond to real societal needs.
“We need to ensure that AI is not just smart, but also wise,” he added.
An AI researcher from the UGM Faculty of Engineering, Professor Sunu Wibirama, presented his research on integrating AI and sensors to develop an innovative healthcare system.
One of his projects involves a health monitoring system based on eye expressions.
“We are developing technology that can detect fatigue or stress solely through eye movement patterns,” Professor Wibirama explained.
He noted that the project has the potential to be applied in monitoring industrial workers, drivers, and medical personnel.
By combining AI, optical sensors, and IoT devices, his team aims to deliver a solution that is real-time and responsive to both the physical and emotional conditions of users.
Professor Wibirama highlighted the importance of collaboration between engineering researchers and experts in medicine, psychology, and ergonomics.
“The key to successful innovation is not just technology, but a deep understanding of its context of use,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lutfan Lazuardi, from the UGM Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing (FK-KMK), contributed to the discussion by highlighting the role of AI in managing health big data and supporting data-driven policymaking.
He argued that the digital era demands that stakeholders in the health sector be capable of reading data patterns intelligently and quickly.
“AI enables us to find insights in data that are invisible to conventional analysis,” he said.
However, he noted that the biggest challenge lies not in the technology itself, but in integrating data across institutions and ensuring the readiness of supporting policies.
He encouraged the establishment of a joint forum between AI researchers, policymakers, and field workers to create a more aligned ecosystem.
Dr. Lazuardi also noted that UGM has the potential to become a pioneer in developing an AI-based policy simulator that ministries and other agencies could use.
With strong data support and multidisciplinary expertise, UGM can create a tangible impact on the national health system.
“For AI solutions to be widely adopted, they must be compatible with existing systems and co-developed with regulators,” he explained.
From the perspective of system engineering and internal research development, Raden Sumiharto, from the UGM Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, also shared a collaborative strategy that he and his team are working on.
He noted that many AI research initiatives at UGM are developing independently and are not yet systematically coordinated.
He proposed the creation of an open AI research database that records research themes, collaborative partners, and technologies used.
“We need an integrative platform that connects IT experts with domain specialists,” he said.
According to him, this would make it easier for students and lecturers across faculties to take part in ongoing AI projects.
Sumiharto also welcomed the matchmaking sessions at this event, which are expected to spark new collaborations between laboratories and faculties.
With institutional support, these collaborations could be channeled into competitive funding schemes at both national and international levels.
The event also featured Dr. Eric Tenda Daniel, FINASIM, from the Indonesian Ministry of Health.
Dr. Daniel, who also practices at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, delivered a presentation on the use of AI in the medical field.
He explained how AI can enhance efficiency and accuracy in the disease diagnosis process.
“AI is not just a tool, but a clinical partner. With AI, we can improve diagnostic accuracy and accelerate clinical decision-making,” he stated.
He also pointed out that Indonesia’s healthcare system still faces significant challenges in service distribution.
In this context, AI can play a vital role, particularly in expanding access to early diagnosis in remote areas.
In practice, AI is already being used to detect chronic diseases with accuracy levels comparable to those of specialists.
However, Dr. Daniel also reminded that AI adoption in the health sector must consider ethical aspects, data privacy, and the readiness of medical personnel.
“Digital transformation in healthcare services is not just about advanced technology, but also about cultural transformation within organizations,” he concluded.
Ririn Tri Nurhayati, from the UGM Directorate of Research, closed the presentation session by raising a strategic issue on AI research funding opportunities.
She revealed that donors are currently receptive to proposals for AI projects that are both applicable and socially impactful.
She also emphasized the crucial role of universities in helping researchers prepare strong proposals.
She hopes that forums like this will become the starting point for flagship AI-based projects born out of a spirit of collaboration and long-term vision.
“We at the Directorate of Research are ready to facilitate. But the big ideas must come from the researchers in the field,” she stressed.
The gathering of AI researchers concluded with a discussion session, matchmaking, and a lunch networking break.
Through this forum, UGM hopes to formulate a digital transformation roadmap for the next five years, supported by concrete and solution-oriented AI research.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration, institutional support, and an enabling ecosystem remain the three key pillars to be continuously strengthened.
With a spirit of synergy, UGM continues to pursue digital transformation, reinforcing its identity as a university that excels not only academically but also adapts to the times and delivers broad societal impact.
Author: Triya Andriyani
Post-editor: Afifudin Baliya
Photographer: Donnie