Jakarta, Feb. 9 -- Indonesia's deputy minister for higher education on Monday urged university students to sharpen critical thinking skills as artificial intelligence rapidly transforms society, warning that human judgment will remain essential amid fast-moving technological change.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Technology Stella Christie delivered the message at the 2026 Santri Scientific Festival in Malang, East Java, according to an official statement received in Jakarta.

She said advances in artificial intelligence were reshaping daily life across social, educational and economic spheres, forcing governments, universities and individuals to rethink how knowledge is produced and used.

"Is it wise to spend huge sum...