The Indonesian government is placing significant emphasis on the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the country. Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Technology, Nezar Patria, has called on all stakeholders to increase the adoption of AI to contribute to the growth of the national digital economy. In a public discussion on AI at the Sarasehan Nasional AI event in Central Jakarta on August 20, 2024, Nezar highlighted the importance of optimizing this cutting-edge technology for economic development. He noted that several government agencies in Indonesia have already implemented AI in public services across various sectors. For instance, the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology (Kominfo) uses AI to detect fake news through Natural Language Processing (NLP) and machine learning. Additionally, the Directorate General of Taxes at the Ministry of Finance has developed an AI-based chatbot to assist taxpayers with information and services related to taxation. The Ministry of Health also leverages AI in radiology and pathology, including chest X-rays, CT scans, and brain imaging, at various hospitals in Indonesia.
Nezar further explained that AI technology is employed across ministries, agencies, and local governments to analyze large volumes of data for specific purposes, such as predicting weather, disasters, and traffic patterns. He mentioned that AI is widely used for traffic mapping on toll roads and managing toll gate operations. Nezar praised the stakeholders and partners of Kominfo for their thematic studies on AI development in Indonesia. He expressed hope that forums like Sarasehan Nasional AI would serve as platforms for gathering diverse inputs, aiming to establish safe, inclusive, and trustworthy AI governance. This effort is part of Indonesia's broader goal to become more connected, more digital, and more advanced. The event also featured a keynote speech by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, delivered virtually, and was attended by various experts, including officials from the Ministry of Finance, ELSAM, Microsoft Indonesia, and INDEF.
