Seminar 3 Benua Tentang Ekonomi Kreatif Berbasis AI: Enhancing Cooperation Among Three Continents

Surabaya, FTEIC ITS – On Friday, October 30, 2026, “Seminar 3 Benua Tentang Ekosistem Kreatif Berbasis AI: Jalur Pengembangan Industri dan Prospek Masa Depan” held at Gedung Sabha Nugraha, Dinas Pendidikan Jawa Timur. Ir. M.M. Irfan Subakti, S.Kom., M.Sc.Eng., M.Phil., IPM, Lecturer from the Department of Informatics Engineering FTEIC ITS was invited to serve as one of the resource speakers representing Asia.

At this seminar, there were various other resource speakers from three continents: Europe, Africa, and Asia. For Asia’s representatives, they came from India, China, Indonesia besides Irfan. Zambia represented the African continent while Armenia stood for Europe. All speakers used their respective native languages which would be translated by AI directly on screen during presentation. However, in Irfan’s session, he requested the operator not to activate automatic AI-based translation because he presented materials simultaneously in three languages (Mandarin, English, and Indonesian) alternating between them. Irfan did this so all attendees, whether online or offline, understood the entire stand-up comedy-style presentation by Irfan.

The topic presented by Irfan was “AI You Can Actually Use. From Classroom to Creative Career”. In three languages—Mandarin, English, and Indonesian—Irfan presented on the application of AI in daily life, starting from classrooms to workplaces.

This seminar was the culmination of WorldSkill Competition, an event for implementing AI among vocational high school (SMK) teachers in East Java. On that day, East Java Education Office would select top 15 SMK teachers to participate in follow-up training and AI-based game creation and animation competition in Shanghai, China. WorldSkill selected 50 SMK DKV (Graphic Design & Visual Arts) and animation teachers from East Java who previously attended online training for 20 days with Boke Technology. Departure and intensive training trip to Shanghai, China was scheduled for January 2026. The purpose of this activity is to equip vocational teachers not only as technology users but also capable of producing valuable digital works and teaching them to students at school.

Although event organizers did not direct anyone must use specific language despite major sponsor being Chinese AI company, Irfan initiated using three languages simultaneously to make atmosphere more lively and ensure attendees felt comfortable. Irfan himself enjoys learning foreign languages and cultures abroad. Although Irfan doesn’t fully understand Mandarin (100%), he does like Chinese language and culture. Irfan also likes studying Taiwan, England, Slovakia, and Russia’s languages and cultures. Irfan once lived quite long time in Taiwan thus his Mandarin proficiency is fluent which supports him giving presentations in Mandarin.

To strengthen cooperation and brotherhood with guests from China, Irfan initiated singing Peng You in front of Chinese guests and Dinas Pendidikan Jawa Timur Office Head. In Mandarin language Peng You means friend or companion. This song is a classic iconic Mandarin song telling about true friendship that time cannot fade away. Singer for this track is Taiwanese singer born Hong Kong, Wakin Chau (also known as Emil Chau). Guests from China enjoyed listening to this friendship-themed song very much.

Message from Irfan for FTEIC ITS students is besides hard skills, soft skillsespecially language proficiency skill are very useful for establishing contacts and communication. Even better if equipped with abilities in communicating, time management, leadership, etcetera. Communication is first step of everything. Cooperation opportunities, research activities would become easier achieved once contact has been established maintaining good relations whatever related to others will inevitably impact our lives. (Humas – Nayla)