Jakarta, INTI - Indonesia is opening greater opportunities for technology cooperation with the United States, covering areas ranging from artificial intelligence (AI) development to child protection in the digital environment.
The government emphasized that the adoption of technology and cooperation with global industry players must remain aligned with national interests while delivering tangible benefits and protection for the public.
Minister of Communication and Digital Meutya Hafid said Indonesia’s openness to global technology must be accompanied by regulatory certainty and a strong commitment to public interests.
“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 a meeting with Joy Sakurai, Chargé d’Affaires Ad Interim of the U.S. Embassy in Indonesia, at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
During the meeting, Indonesia and the United States discussed several digital priorities, including AI development and policies aimed at protecting children in the digital environment.
Risk-Based AI Governance
On AI, Meutya said the government is preparing a governance framework that will regulate the development and use of AI based on different levels of risk. The government wants innovation to continue advancing while ensuring that the public has greater certainty regarding the safety and use of the technology.
“Indonesia’s AI roadmap is being developed to complement the country’s very high level of AI adoption, particularly among younger generations. We are introducing risk-based regulations not to restrict innovation, but to build a sense of security and public trust in technology,” Meutya emphasized.
The government is also preparing a Responsible AI framework with classifications based on risk levels, ranging from unacceptable and high risks to low risks. Its implementation will be tailored to the characteristics of each sector through sector-specific regulations.
Strengthening Child Protection in the Digital Space
In addition to AI development, Indonesia and the United States discussed child protection in the digital environment. The government is adopting a risk- and age-based approach rather than imposing a total 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 levels of risk will have a minimum age threshold of 13.
“We are limiting independent access to 16 years of age for high-risk digital platforms and 13 for lower-risk platforms. We are encouraging major technology companies to redesign their products to be more child-friendly, limit screen time, and restrict access to chats with strangers without parental consent,” Meutya added.
The United States welcomed Indonesia’s approach to digital governance and offered cooperation through the AI Export Center in San Francisco, expert support, and assistance with AI implementation across government institutions.
The cooperation forms part of Indonesia’s broader efforts to ensure that openness to technological development goes hand in hand with regulatory certainty, strategic infrastructure protection, and public protection.
For the government, digital sovereignty does not mean closing Indonesia off from global technology. Instead, sovereignty means ensuring that Indonesia retains control over regulations, technology implementation, infrastructure protection, and national interests, with society remaining the primary beneficiary of the country’s digital transformation.
Conclusion
Indonesia’s expanding digital cooperation with the United States reflects its commitment to embracing global technology while maintaining national interests and digital sovereignty. By strengthening risk-based AI governance, protecting children in the digital space, and safeguarding strategic infrastructure, Indonesia aims to create a digital ecosystem where innovation can grow alongside public safety, regulatory certainty, and greater trust in technology.
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