Jakarta, INTI - The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, is opening broader opportunities for cooperation with the United States, covering areas from artificial intelligence (AI) development to child protection in the digital environment.
Indonesia - US Cooperation Expands Across AI and Digital Protection
During a meeting with Joy Sakurai, Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim of the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia, the U.S. side offered cooperation through the AI Export Center in San Francisco, expert support, and assistance in implementing AI across government institutions.
The cooperation is part of Indonesia’s efforts to ensure that openness to technological developments goes hand in hand with regulatory certainty, strategic infrastructure protection, and public safety.
Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid said Indonesia’s openness to global technology must be accompanied by clear regulations and a strong commitment to serving the public.
“Technology must provide benefits to society. Therefore, cooperation and its implementation must remain within the framework of national interests, including ensuring that people have access to a safe digital environment,” Meutya said during the meeting, as quoted on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Risk-Based AI Governance and Child Protection
In the field of AI, Meutya said the government is preparing a governance framework to regulate the development and use of AI based on different levels of risk. The government wants innovation to continue advancing while ensuring greater certainty for the public regarding the safety and use of AI.
The government is also developing a Responsible AI framework with risk classifications ranging from unacceptable and high risks to low risks. Its implementation will be tailored to the characteristics of each sector through sector-specific regulations.
On child protection in the digital environment, the government has adopted a risk- and age-based approach rather than imposing a blanket ban on children’s access to digital platforms.
Meutya said the government is limiting independent account ownership based on the risk level of each platform. High-risk platforms will be designated for users aged 16 and above, while platforms with lower risks will have a minimum age threshold of 13.
Through this cooperation, Meutya emphasized that digital sovereignty does not mean shutting Indonesia off from global technology. Instead, it means ensuring that Indonesia maintains control over regulations, technology implementation, infrastructure protection, and the interests of the public as the primary beneficiaries of digital transformation.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s strengthened digital cooperation with the United States reflects its efforts to embrace global technological development while maintaining digital sovereignty and public protection. Through responsible AI governance, strategic technology partnerships, and risk- and age-based measures for child protection, Indonesia aims to build a digital ecosystem that supports innovation while ensuring safety, regulatory certainty, and benefits for society.
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