Jakarta, INTI - The rapid expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption across Indonesia has prompted the government to take decisive action by accelerating the development of dedicated regulations. The initiative aims to establish a clear governance framework to ensure AI technologies are developed and utilized responsibly while protecting the public from potential risks.
The statement was delivered by Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, during the BRAVO 500 Summit 2026 organized by XLSmart in Jakarta. Meutya emphasized that Indonesia must strengthen its digital sovereignty and establish independent regulations to govern the growing use of AI.
“With internet access now connecting around 230 million people in Indonesia, we believe it is essential to take a clear position. We need dedicated and binding regulations specifically designed to govern AI,” Meutya stated before technology industry leaders.
Lessons from the Retinal Data Collection Controversy
According to Meutya, the urgency of AI regulation is driven not only by Indonesia’s large digital population but also by the need to ensure that technological innovations entering the country operate transparently, responsibly, and securely.
She pointed to the 2025 controversy involving the global application World Apps, which was blocked by the Indonesian government after concerns emerged over its aggressive collection of citizens’ biometric data, including retinal scans, in exchange for financial incentives.
The incident highlighted the importance of a stronger legal framework to enable authorities to respond more effectively to potential violations involving personal data privacy and the misuse of emerging technologies.
AI Governance to Prioritize Ten Strategic Sectors
Meutya explained that the upcoming AI governance framework will focus on ten strategic sectors that have significant public and economic impact. These sectors include food security, healthcare, education, finance and the economy, political and bureaucratic reform, law and security, energy and environmental sustainability, housing, transportation, infrastructure, as well as arts and the creative economy.
The selected sectors align with the Indonesian government’s national development priorities under President Prabowo Subianto’s Astacita vision. According to Meutya, AI adoption in these areas is expected to enhance national productivity while supporting more inclusive and sustainable public services.
Presidential Regulation to Provide a National AI Framework
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) emphasized that it does not intend to regulate every technical aspect of AI implementation across all industries. Instead, the ministry will provide an overarching regulatory framework, allowing relevant ministries and institutions to formulate sector-specific policies according to their respective needs and ecosystems.
As a concrete step, Komdigi is currently finalizing the AI governance framework, which is planned to be issued as a Presidential Regulation. The regulation will focus on two key aspects: an ethical code for AI development and a long-term roadmap for Indonesia’s AI advancement.
Through this initiative, the government aims to strike a balance between encouraging innovation among local technology developers and ensuring data security and public protection for hundreds of millions of internet users across Indonesia.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s move to establish dedicated AI regulations reflects the country’s commitment to building a responsible and secure digital ecosystem. By introducing ethical guidelines and a national AI roadmap, the government aims to balance technological innovation with data protection, ensuring AI contributes to sustainable and inclusive development across key sectors.
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