Yogyakarta, September 12, 2026 — The Department of Mathematics Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta (UNY), successfully hosted Webinar Series #1, titled “Reimagining Mathematics Learning: AI and the Evolution of Learning Media in the Digital Era,” on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The event attracted enthusiastic participation from lecturers, students, and education practitioners.

The webinar opened with remarks from Prof. Dr. Drs. Sugiman, M.Si. In his speech, he expressed his hope that Webinar Series #1 would provide up-to-date knowledge and serve as a source of inspiration for those developing mathematics instruction and conducting educational research.

The presentation sessions were moderated by Cici Noviana, S.Pd. The first speaker, Ahmad Bahauddin, M.Pd., discussed the importance of transforming mathematics education by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the learning process. He explained that the development of AI could no longer be avoided, making it essential for educators to adapt to these technological advances.

He emphasized that teachers in the digital era face the challenge of guiding students to discover and understand the thinking processes behind a solution rather than simply providing instant answers. As AI increasingly becomes an alternative source of information for students, teachers need to redefine their roles as facilitators who guide students through the learning process and encourage independent thinking. He also demonstrated how AI can be used to develop mathematics learning media, including the design of educational games that can support classroom instruction.

The second presentation was delivered by Drs. Sahid, M.Sc., who began by examining the state of Indonesian education based on the 2025 Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) results. He explained that PISA 2025 focused on science and computational problem-solving. He also highlighted the decline in scores across various countries, including Indonesia, whose performance remained below the international average.

On the other hand, he noted that Indonesian students possess several strengths, including high levels of curiosity and perseverance. However, these strengths are challenged by digital distractions, inadequate infrastructure, and the prevalence of bullying. He also highlighted the use of AI chatbots among Indonesian students, reporting that 53% of students used AI chatbots every week, exceeding the OECD average of 46%.

In discussing the use of AI, he emphasized four essential principles: skepticism, critical thinking, creativity, and ethics. First, students should not automatically trust AI-generated responses. Second, they must critically examine the accuracy of the information provided, as AI can produce answers that sound highly convincing and scientific but may not always be correct. Therefore, teachers need to encourage students to question and verify AI-generated information. Third, AI should be used creatively as a tool developed by humans to support, rather than replace, human intelligence and creativity. Finally, AI must be used ethically and responsibly.

Both presentations concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, allowing participants to engage directly with the speakers and exchange perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of AI in education.

Following the presentations, participants took part in a picture-guessing quiz designed to refresh their minds. The ice-breaking session was facilitated by the Webinar Series #1 Technical Team and received an enthusiastic response. Three participants who correctly answered the quiz questions received special prizes.

Through Webinar Series #1, the Department of Mathematics Education, FMIPA UNY, provided an academic forum for lecturers, students, and education practitioners to share knowledge and experiences in addressing the challenges of education in the digital era.

The event reaffirmed the department's commitment to providing opportunities for scientific discussion that are timely, innovative, and relevant to developments in twenty-first-century education, particularly in exploring how AI and evolving learning media can contribute to more meaningful mathematics learning.