en.Wedoany.com Reported - PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom) is providing artificial intelligence (AI) training to university students in West Papua through the Village Youth AI Facilitator Program, supporting the digital transformation of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the frontier, outermost, and least developed (3T) regions.

The program stems from the limited digital literacy of MSMEs in West Papua. Data from the Sorong City Government in 2023 shows that over 6,823 MSMEs support the regional economy; however, data from the Sorong Regency Office of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, and MSMEs in 2025 indicates that out of approximately 6,000 MSMEs, only about 150 have received digital training.

Telkom recently conducted AI training for 70 university students from UNIMUDA Sorong and the University of Papua (Universitas Papua, UNIPA) Waisai. Using a Train the Trainer model, participants will be developed as digital agents who will subsequently guide MSMEs in leveraging AI technology to enhance productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness.

Hery Susanto, Senior General Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility at Telkom, stated that empowering communities through technology is a key component of Telkom's efforts to build an inclusive and sustainable digital ecosystem. He noted that empowering young talent is part of Telkom's commitment to extending the benefits of digital transformation to 3T regions, expressing hope that through this program, more MSMEs can utilize AI technology to increase productivity and create added value.

Following the training, the university students will provide one-on-one mentoring to MSMEs, covering digital asset development, marketing strategies, and the use of AI for operations and business management. In the future, these digital agents will collaborate with various strategic groups in West Papua, including product development, marketing, and management for the Mama-Mama Papua business group, strengthening digital promotion for village youth communities, and improving governance and expanding business-to-business (B2B) partnerships for village-owned enterprises (BUMDes).

The Village Youth AI Facilitator Program is one of Telkom's initiatives through its Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program to enhance the modernization, inclusiveness, and competitiveness of the MSME ecosystem. The program aims to provide youth with opportunities to participate in regional digital transformation while supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).