Jakarta, INTI - The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia (Komdigi) has officially launched Indonesia’s AI Center of Excellence, an inclusive national ecosystem aimed at strengthening the country’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence (AI), on Friday, July 11, 2025.
The launch represents a strategic collaboration between the Ministry and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Cisco, and NVIDIA.
The national AI center is built with advanced technology support from NVIDIA, intelligent infrastructure provided by Cisco, and the extensive digital network of Indosat across Indonesia.
This collaboration is expected to strengthen national AI sovereignty while expanding equitable access to AI technologies from urban centers to rural areas.
Indonesia has officially launched its AI Center of Excellence in collaboration with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Cisco, and NVIDIA, marking a major step toward building an inclusive, secure, and nationally driven AI ecosystem to support the country’s digital sovereignty.
The initiative was introduced by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) as part of a broader effort to strengthen Indonesia’s competitiveness in artificial intelligence. The center is designed as a collaborative national platform, integrating advanced technologies, infrastructure, and talent development to accelerate AI adoption across sectors.
Building a Sovereign and Inclusive AI Ecosystem
Built on NVIDIA’s cutting-edge computing capabilities, Cisco’s intelligent infrastructure, and Indosat’s extensive nationwide digital network, the AI Center of Excellence aims to ensure equal access to AI technologies, reaching not only urban areas but also rural communities.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, emphasized that the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to building digital sovereignty. She noted that Indonesia aspires not only to be a technology market, but also a hub for innovation and the development of AI solutions tailored to national needs.
The AI Center is structured around key initiatives, including real-world AI application development, large-scale talent training and certification, startup acceleration, enterprise solutions, national-scale large language model (LLM) development, and policy discussions focused on ethical and responsible AI.
President Director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Vikram Sinha, highlighted that the center represents more than just technological deployment, but also a commitment to inclusivity. He stated that AI should empower Indonesians not only as users, but as creators and innovators.
Strengthening Talent and AI Infrastructure Nationwide
From a technological standpoint, Indosat and NVIDIA are leading the development of Indonesia’s first sovereign AI infrastructure, powered by NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 systems to support generative AI and high-performance computing. This infrastructure is operated by Lintasarta, an Indosat subsidiary, positioning it as the first AI factory in Southeast Asia to adopt such technology.
Meanwhile, Cisco is introducing Indonesia’s first Sovereign Security Operations Center (SOC) through a cloud-based platform equipped with AI-driven security systems. Supported by Splunk solutions and managed security services, the SOC is designed to safeguard national digital assets in compliance with regulatory standards. Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins noted that strong infrastructure and skilled human resources are essential to navigating the AI era, and reaffirmed the company’s support for building a secure and sustainable digital foundation.
Looking ahead, the initiative carries an ambitious vision of “AI for All,” with Indosat’s network expected to extend AI access to hundreds of millions of Indonesians by 2027, including those in remote areas. In terms of talent development, the center aims to train up to one million Indonesians in networking, cybersecurity, and AI within the same timeframe.
NVIDIA will contribute through its Deep Learning Institute and Inception program for startups, while Cisco plans to train 500,000 Indonesians by 2030 via its Networking Academy. Senior Vice President of Telecom at NVIDIA, Ronnie Vasishta, подчеркнул pentingnya memastikan AI dapat diakses oleh semua pihak, menyebut kolaborasi ini sebagai fondasi ekosistem AI yang berpotensi menjadi model global.
Overall, the AI Center of Excellence represents a strategic milestone in Indonesia’s journey toward building an inclusive, secure, and self-reliant digital ecosystem, driven by sovereign AI implementation and locally grounded innovation for a sustainable future.
Conclusion
The launch of Indonesia’s AI Center of Excellence marks a significant step toward establishing a robust and sovereign AI ecosystem. Through strategic collaboration with Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, Cisco, and NVIDIA, the initiative not only accelerates technological advancement but also ensures broader access and inclusivity. By combining infrastructure, talent development, and innovation, Indonesia is positioning itself as a key player in the global AI landscape.
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