Tech In Asia Conference 2025 Highlights AI's Role Amid Startups

(center two) Maria Li, Chief Operating Officer Tech in Asia and Meutya Hafid, Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (photo: Dinda Buana/VOI)

JAKARTA - Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technological innovation that is still in the spotlight around the world. This rapid AI progress encourages startups to transform amid pressure from funding and global economic uncertainty

Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid also emphasized that as a country with a digital economy in the ASEAN region, the startup ecosystem in Indonesia is considered still promising.

He said Indonesia was home to the most startup in Southeast Asia, accounting for more than 3,000 startups by the middle of this year, and recorded a Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) of up to USD 90 billion or around IDR 1,420 trillion in 2024.

"This growth (AI) needs to be managed properly so that startups are not only able to answer various challenges, but also continue in terms of business," said Meutya at the Tech in Asia Conference 2025 on Wednesday, October 22 in Jakarta.

Carrying the theme 'Defy Expectation', this event also emphasizes the importance of realistic and resilient innovation in the midst of rapid changes in the world of technology.

Chief Operating Officer Tech in Asia Maria Li also reaffirmed the company's commitment to continue to be present to support founders in difficult times.

Maria also believes that the wave of adoption of artificial intelligence or AI will continue to develop and will become something big in the region.

"For example, many startups have helped increase the company's productivity through AI, to how the implementation of AI and its ethics, cybersecurity, as well as AI infrastructure and data that will be increasingly used in the future," added Maria.