Jakarta, INTI - Indonesian enterprises are being encouraged to move beyond merely adopting artificial intelligence as a supporting tool and transition toward becoming AI-first organizations, where AI serves as a core element of business operations. This transformation is considered crucial as the era of Agentic AI continues to reshape industries and redefine the future of enterprise.
AI-First Seen as the Key to Future Business Competitiveness
The topic was highlighted during the AI Leadership Exchange 2026, themed “The Agentic Leap: Empowering Indonesia's Digital Leadership and Winning the Enterprise AI Race,” which brought together industry leaders, policymakers, and technology experts to discuss Indonesia’s readiness in the global AI landscape.
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital, Nezar Patria, emphasized the government’s commitment to strengthening the national AI ecosystem through the 5A framework: Availability, Affordability, Awareness, Ability, and Agency.
“The goal is to ensure that organizations across Indonesia can maximize the benefits of AI adoption,” he stated.
Hans A.T. Dekkers highlighted that companies placing AI at the center of their operations will gain significantly greater advantages than those that simply use AI as an auxiliary tool.
“These two approaches create vastly different outcomes. Organizations that build their operations around AI will achieve a much stronger competitive advantage,” he explained.
Data Foundation and Human Talent Become Essential Enablers
Jerry Zhu stated that organizations prioritizing AI within their business strategies will be better positioned to compete in the future.
“The winners will be companies that are AI-first, not merely AI-enabled,” he said.
During the forum, speakers also emphasized the importance of robust data integration, strong governance frameworks, and workforce readiness to ensure AI implementation is effective, responsible, and sustainable.
Furthermore, the development of AI technological sovereignty, along with the adoption of AI systems that prioritize data security and regulatory compliance, was identified as a critical component of digital transformation across various sectors, including the banking industry.
Conclusion
As Agentic AI accelerates the next wave of digital transformation, Indonesian companies are urged to move beyond AI adoption and embrace an AI-first approach to remain competitive. Success in this transition will depend not only on advanced AI technologies but also on strong data foundations, effective governance, skilled digital talent, and responsible implementation. Through collaboration between industry, government, and technology leaders, Indonesia has the opportunity to strengthen its position in the emerging global AI-driven economy.
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