Indonesia Prepares AI Independence with Infrastructure-Talent Development

JAKARTA - Indonesia is preparing the foundation for artificial intelligence (AI) independence through the development of an ecosystem that includes local AI models, computing infrastructure, and strengthening digital talent.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital (Wamenkomdigi) Nezar Patriadalam a statement confirmed in Jakarta, Thursday, assessed that the mastery of AI in the future is not only related to technological innovation, but also becomes part of the country's strategic position in the global technology supply chain.

He revealed that in the midst of global geopolitical dynamics, more and more countries are trying to build AI independence so as not to depend on major countries in the mastery of AI technology.

"These countries in the middle, in the middle power, are trying to promote sovereign AI because ultimately the mastery of this AI technology will be a choke point for these big countries to maintain their dominance," he said.

He underlined that the development of AI independence must be carried out in its entirety by including basic infrastructure layers, such as electricity, water, GPUs, chips, platforms, and applications.

Nezar emphasized that Indonesia has digital talent that is capable of competing globally. Therefore, they must be given the opportunity to develop their talents through providing access to AI infrastructure and the necessary technical knowledge.

"As far as digital talent is concerned, as long as our young people and talents have the opportunity. They can access AI infrastructure, continue to have knowledge, and creativity and innovation. I am sure that in the field of compute cluster we can compete," he said.

In addition to digital talent, Nezar also assessed that Indonesia has strategic advantages in the form of critical mineral resources which are raw materials for the AI and semiconductor industries.

According to him, steps are needed to utilize the mineral so that it can strengthen Indonesia's bargaining power and position in the global supply chain.

"We have natural resources that are now being competed for AI infrastructure, namely critical minerals, so there must be steps on how we can secure them so that they become one of our bargaining chips in the global supply chain," he said.