Jakarta, INTI – The widespread use of artificial intelligence (AI) across various sectors is creating both major opportunities and new challenges for Indonesia. Amid the surge of AI adoption that often sparks excitement, concerns are rising over the limited number of local digital talents capable of managing the technology independently. This issue surfaced during a discussion forum held in Jakarta on Thursday, November, 27, 2025 where stakeholders emphasized the importance of strengthening human resource competencies to prevent technological dependence. The event served as a strategic platform to explore how Indonesia can safeguard its digital sovereignty in the future through a competitive and well-prepared digital workforce.
Indonesia Becomes the World’s 3rd Largest AI User
Lintasarta’s Director & Chief IT Services Officer, Ginandjar, revealed that Indonesia is now the third-largest user of AI globally. However, this achievement does not align with the availability of competent digital talent. He noted that without the ability to build and develop AI independently, Indonesia risks falling behind other countries.
“AI is a huge opportunity for us to grow faster. But if we respond incorrectly, we may end up lagging behind. Our usage is massive, yet our talent pool remains far from sufficient,” emphasized Ginandjar.
The Risk of Dependence on Foreign Technology
He explained that Indonesia’s digital ecosystem has indeed grown rapidly thanks to cloud services, data centers, and broadband networks. However, such progress must be accompanied by competency independence. Being a large user without having enough developers and technology architects creates a dependency pattern where Indonesia becomes a consumer rather than a producer of technology.
“If our talent is not ready, we will only use technology from abroad instead of building it. That’s the danger,” he stated.
Cross-Sector Collaboration to Strengthen Digital Human Resources
Ginandjar stressed that cross-sector collaboration is essential to accelerate the development of digital human resources. Government, industry, and academia must prioritize building digital capabilities rather than merely expanding network infrastructure.
He also described data centers and cloud services as the “heart of digital sovereignty”, serving as the foundation that enables AI development to occur domestically.
“We must prepare the foundation. Strong data centers and cloud infrastructure are necessary so AI processing and development can be carried out within Indonesia,” he said.
Infrastructure Expansion and the AI Merdeka Initiative
Lintasarta also highlighted the urgency of expanding equal access to digital infrastructure, including accelerating the development of data centers across various regions. Through its AI Merdeka initiative, the company aims to cultivate more digital talent while strengthening the national AI ecosystem ensuring Indonesia becomes not only a user but also a creator of AI technology.
Conclusion
The rapid growth of AI adoption must be balanced with strong digital talent readiness and solid infrastructure to prevent technological dependence. Through cross-sector collaboration, the development of data centers, and the enhancement of digital literacy and competencies, Indonesia has a significant opportunity to protect its technological sovereignty and position itself as a key player in the global AI ecosystem.
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