Jakarta, INTI - Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria said the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the way cybercrime is carried out.
AI-powered deepfakes and social engineering have made scams increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect. In response, Nezar emphasized that cybersecurity must be incorporated from the earliest stages of technology and digital platform development rather than addressed only after an attack occurs.
“We need to shift toward designs and business processes that prioritize security. This is what we call security by design,” Nezar said at the Kaspersky Academic Partners Summit 2026 in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
Nezar explained that AI is not only strengthening cyber defense capabilities but also expanding the capabilities of cybercriminals. Deepfake technology and advanced AI models have become increasingly accessible tools that can be exploited for cybercrime.
“AI does not create these threats from nothing, but it accelerates their development, sophistication, and reach,” he said.
In Indonesia, the threat is evident in the growing number of AI-powered scams using synthetic voices to impersonate relatives, public figures, and other trusted individuals.
Nezar said the recent wave of AI-based scams has resulted in losses of approximately IDR 9.1 trillion. Meanwhile, the United Nations estimates that online scams across the Asia-Pacific region could cause losses of up to US$114 billion this year.
Indonesia Strengthens AI Security Governance
To address these emerging threats, the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) is promoting an AI security governance framework designed to strengthen resilience without slowing technological innovation.
Nezar said the government aims to establish a comprehensive and robust AI security governance framework that allows innovation to continue while ensuring security, accountability, and resilience are incorporated from the outset.
Komdigi is also strengthening public protection through anti-scam infrastructure, operator-level prevention measures, and AI-powered user verification.
Nezar emphasized that national fraud detection systems should be accessible to all communities, including those in rural areas.
On the regulatory front, Komdigi is developing implementing regulations for Indonesia’s Personal Data Protection Law, alongside the Draft Cybersecurity and Cyber Resilience Bill.
The government is also inviting industry players, academics, and other stakeholders to share practical insights and field experience to ensure that regulations remain adaptable, practical, and risk-based.
AI Strengthens Cybersecurity and Digital Talent
Cybersecurity efforts are also being reinforced through intelligence-sharing between industry partners and the government, as well as the development of AI-powered cyber threat detection systems.
Komdigi is further promoting AI-focused cybersecurity talent development through university-industry collaboration and expanding digital literacy programs for vulnerable groups, including new internet users, senior citizens, and small business owners.
The cyberattack on Indonesia’s National Data Center has also become an important lesson for strengthening public-sector cybersecurity.
Nezar said the incident highlighted the need to improve national cyber defense capabilities and shift the government’s approach from reactive responses toward preventive security.
“The experience has provided us with very valuable lessons,” Nezar concluded.
Conclusion
Indonesia is strengthening its cybersecurity strategy by adopting Security by Design, AI-powered threat detection, stronger governance, and cybersecurity talent development to address increasingly sophisticated AI-driven threats.
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