Jakarta, INTI - IBM, the U.S.-based technology company formally known as International Business Machines Corporation, sees Indonesia as one of the countries with the strongest potential for the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) innovation.
According to Catherine Lian, General Manager and Technology Leader for ASEAN at IBM, Indonesia’s digital economy accounts for around 40% of the total digital economy in Southeast Asia, with its market value projected to approach US$100 billion in Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).
Speaking during a media briefing at IBM Indonesia’s office, Catherine noted that Indonesia is expected to become one of the fastest-growing markets for AI adoption in the region.
Indonesia’s Digital Economy Drives AI Growth
Her assessment is based on the country’s massive digital landscape. Indonesia has a population of approximately 280 million people, with more than 220 million internet users, generating a vast amount of digital data. This scale of data creation makes the implementation of AI technologies increasingly essential at a national level.
Catherine also highlighted that Indonesia hosts the largest number of unicorn startups in ASEAN, which contributes to the rapid pace of innovation and AI adoption within the country’s expanding digital economy. Startup ecosystems, she explained, tend to be highly innovative, making them strong drivers of technological advancement and experimentation with emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.
In addition, Indonesia is emerging as a strategic market for AI due to the rapid digitalization taking place across sectors including government services, finance, telecommunications, and digital platforms. This transformation is driving demand for trusted and scalable AI solutions that can support large-scale digital services.
AI Opportunities Amid Rising Cybersecurity Challenges
At the same time, Catherine pointed out that the Asia-Pacific region has become the second most targeted area for cyberattacks globally, with the manufacturing sector remaining one of the industries most frequently targeted by cybercriminals.
Given these challenges, she emphasized that strengthening AI sovereignty, trusted infrastructure, and resilient digital systems will be critical priorities as Indonesia continues to expand its digital services and build stronger national resilience in the digital era.
Conclusion
Overall, Indonesia’s large digital economy, rapidly growing startup ecosystem, and massive data generation position the country as one of the most promising markets for artificial intelligence in Southeast Asia. With the right infrastructure, talent development, and trusted digital systems, Indonesia has the potential to become a key driver of AI innovation in the region.
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