Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia's Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, emphasized that establishing a national compute cluster is one of the most critical steps in strengthening the country's competitiveness in the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.
He stated that Indonesia must move beyond being merely a technology consumer by developing robust computing capacity while simultaneously investing in the growth of its digital talent.
"There are at least two essential strategies. First, we must strengthen our position in AI infrastructure development. Second, we need to enhance our compute cluster capabilities while cultivating Indonesian digital talent to compete on the global stage," Nezar said during the Meeting and Collaboration to Unite Innovation and Accelerate the National AI Ecosystem at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs in Central Jakarta on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Building National AI Infrastructure
Nezar explained that the need for compute clusters has become increasingly urgent as modern AI systems rely heavily on large-scale computing power.
Such infrastructure serves as the foundation for developing AI models, advancing research and innovation, and enabling the creation of homegrown AI-powered solutions.
According to him, expanding computing capacity must go hand in hand with building a strong national AI ecosystem so that Indonesia can become more than just a market for foreign technologies and instead emerge as a significant player in the global AI industry.
"We should not remain merely technology users. We must position ourselves as a significant player capable of shaping the direction of AI adoption in Indonesia," he stressed.
Collaboration and Digital Sovereignty
However, Nezar noted that Indonesia's success will depend not only on attracting investment but also on building an integrated AI ecosystem through close collaboration among the government, industry, academia, state-owned enterprises, technology communities, and local innovators.
He added that AI development has become one of the key priorities under the Indonesia Digital Vision 2045, with the goal of creating technology that is inclusive, empowers the national ecosystem, and strengthens the country's digital sovereignty.
"We do not want to be simply a market or a user. We aim to secure a strategic position within the global AI value chain," he said.
Nezar believes Indonesia possesses strong competitive advantages to achieve this vision, including abundant critical minerals essential for AI technologies, sufficient energy resources to support digital infrastructure, and a demographic dividend that can produce the next generation of digital talent.
At the same time, he pointed out that AI is no longer solely a technological issue but has become an integral part of global geopolitical competition.
For that reason, Indonesia must strengthen its national capabilities to remain resilient amid shifting global dynamics while capitalizing on emerging opportunities.
"Most importantly, we must realize this vision through strong partnerships and effective collaboration so that Indonesia can build an AI ecosystem that is inclusive, empowered, and digitally sovereign," Nezar concluded.
Conclusion
Indonesia is positioning itself to become a key player in the global AI industry by strengthening its computing infrastructure, nurturing digital talent, and fostering cross-sector collaboration. Through the development of national compute clusters and an inclusive AI ecosystem, the government aims to enhance the country's digital sovereignty and secure a strategic role in the global AI value chain.
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