Rani Permata
Feb 27, 2026
Responding to Challenges Amidst the AI Pressure,
TEDxSampoerna University Encourages Youth to Discover Their Own Values
Sampoerna University, emphasizing its commitment as a world-class educational institution that equips students with future skills, presents the TEDxSampoerna University 2026, themed “After All: What Remains Beneath”. Marking the sixth time, this year’s event will be held at Teater Kecil, Taman Ismail Marzuki on March 7, 2026, bringing together eight curated speakers who will share ideas and experiences. They will inspire Indonesian Gen Zs to build their self-worth amid the era of disruption and grow into a more resilient generation.
According to a 2025 report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 60.6 percent of student respondents expressed concern about not being prepared for life after formal education. This figure reflects the growing anxiety of Gen Z amidst technological disruption and the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI), which is transforming the job landscape. At the same time, the pressures from social media, which fuel endless self-comparison, have led many youth to question not only their career choices but also the meaning, values, and direction of their lives. From this space of reflection, the theme "After All: What Remains Beneath" emerges, inviting Gen Z to explore what remains behind the "hustle and bustle" of change.
Nathanael Aaron, Project Leader of TEDxSampoerna University 2026, stated, “This theme invites us to pause and ask ourselves: ‘Amidst the hustle and bustle of change, what is the foundation that truly sustains our lives’ More than just a reflection, the theme of AfterAll: What Remains Beneath encourages us to reexamine our core values, humanity, and relationships we build. Because ultimately, when achievements and trends come and go, what remains is ourselves.”
TEDxSampoerna University 2026 comprises two series of events: the Pre-Event and the Main Event. To strengthen the reflection space, as part of the Pre-Event series, a workshop titled "Unshakeable You: Redefining Your Value in an Uncertain World" was held on February 26, 2026, led by Career Consultant Irvandias Sanjaya. This session presents a more personal and practical approach for students to re-examine their self-worth, identify their strengths, and reframe future anxieties into concrete self-development strategies.
“By understanding their values as a moral compass, participants become more capable of deliberative thinking and remain rational in the face of career uncertainty, AI competition, and social media pressure. Through this activity, they are encouraged to identify what they truly believe so that every future decision is more aligned and has a positive impact, from choosing a major to the direction of their career and long-term life,” said Dias.
The Main Event on March 7, 2026 will feature eight curated speakers who bring diverse perspectives to issues relevant to the youth, particularly Gen Z. Through three main sub-themes developed into topics according to each individual's expertise and professional background, this event is designed to broaden insights, encourage critical thinking, and foster a proactive attitude in responding to challenges and creating positive change in the future.
Met on the same occasion, Tara Susanto-Joseph, Co-Founder of Bumiterra expressed her enthusiasm to present the topic "Personal Choices, Public Impact: Choosing What We Serve" and its relevance to the challenges of Gen Z in the current era of disruption.
Tara explained, “Behind all the achievements and efforts we have achieved, even flaunted on social media, we are actually faced with a choice between whether to benefit ourselves or benefit everyone around us. We also need to remember that as humans, we possess a self-awareness that makes us inseparable from one another. Especially in this era of disruption, we must view technology and AI as tools to help us, not as competitors. Because without harmony between humans and technology, our life journey will not run smoothly.”
Erik Krauss, Vice Rector of Student Success at Sampoerna University, reiterated that the institution has hosted TEDxSampoerna University since 2021, where its role extends beyond organizing to include facilitating the event and providing a platform for students and young people to engage in meaningful discussions on issues relevant to their lives.
“This year's TEDxSampoerna University event reflects our commitment to student success, not just academically, but also in terms of their overall well-being and personal development. We recognize that students and Gen Z are in a unique position: they grew up amid disruption, experienced firsthand how technology is rapidly changing everything, navigated high expectations from various perspectives, and are the most aware generation of mental health and well-being issues. And it is in this uncertainty that the youth are taking the initiative by boldly voicing their ideas, building collaborations, and bringing about change, even through small, consistent steps,” said Erik.
Pre-sale tickets for TEDxSampoerna University 2026 “AfterAll: What Remains Beneath” are open for public, starting at IDR 95,000.
Tickets can be purchased through https://www.wootix.id/queue/tedxsampoerna-university.
Instagram account @tedxsampoernauniversity.
FACT SHEET
LIST OF TOPICS AND SPEAKERS FOR TEDxSAMPOERNA UNIVERSITY 2026
“AFTER ALL: WHAT REMAINS BENEATH”
1. Beneath IDEA
a. Social Science - “From Within to Between: Why Connection Begins with Self Awareness” by Reihan Abrari Ramadhan (Researcher for Blue Ocean Strategy Fellowship and Co-Founder of Kalbar Connext)
b. Public Issues - “Personal Choices, Public Impact: Choosing What We Serve” by Tara Susanto-Joseph (Co-Founder of Bumiterra)
c. Life - “After Comfort Fades: What Hardship Leaves Behind” by Auliya Putri Mulyandini (Sampoerna University Student and TEDxSampoerna University 2026 SpeakerHunt Winner)
2. Beneath ACTION
a. Business - “Behind the Pitch: The Power of Resilience in Innovation” by Edward Tirtanata (CEO & Founder of Kopi Kenangan)
b. Marketing - “Seen, Heard, Valued: The Science of Human-Centered Marketing” by Matthew Ardian (CMO of Fore Coffee)
c. Technology - “Human Centric Digital Trust With the Rise of AI” by Marshall Pribadi (CEO & Founder of PrivyID)
3. Beneath EXPRESSION
a. Art - “From Creation to Interpretation: The Way Songs Change in Every Listener’s Hands” by Matter Mos (Artist, Songwriter, and Producer)
b. Entertainment - “Why Real Beats Perfect” by Naya Anindita (Film Director)
