Jakarta, INTI - A group of Indonesian students studying in the United States has launched a free Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based learning platform called Nusantara AI Institute.
The initiative was created to improve AI literacy across Indonesia through an inclusive and accessible approach, offering completely free learning opportunities to anyone with internet access, regardless of geographic location, economic background, or educational level.
The platform was developed by Indonesian students from Boston University, including Oliver Tedja and Johanes Simanjuntak, together with several colleagues. They built a web-based application featuring free courses and educational materials designed to strengthen AI and technology capabilities, particularly among young Indonesians.
Through practical, relevant, and easily accessible educational programs, Nusantara AI Institute aims to empower students, professionals, educators, and the wider public to better understand, utilize, and responsibly develop AI technologies.
Oliver Tedja stated that the institute seeks to build a strong digital talent ecosystem, encourage local innovation, and ensure that Indonesia’s technological transformation remains inclusive while delivering broad economic and social benefits.
“This institute was born from the efforts of the Indonesian diaspora to create a positive impact back home. We hope these free AI courses can enhance Indonesia’s personal and professional potential while laying the foundation for the future of Indonesian youth in artificial intelligence,” Oliver said in an official statement on Thursday.
The official launch of Nusantara AI Institute took place on March 27 during a dialogue event held at the Indonesian Consulate General in New York City. The event was attended by Indonesian Consul General Winanto Adi, former Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, President of USINDO Society David Merrill, as well as former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake.
AI Literacy and Digital Talent Development Become Main Focus
The platform currently offers more than 20 AI-related courses designed to make complex technologies easier to understand and more accessible throughout Indonesia. Courses under the “AI Literacy” category provide practical introductions for beginners with limited AI knowledge, while “AI for Business” focuses on workflow automation and business value creation through operational optimization.
Another category, “AI Engineering,” explores machine learning and prompt engineering, encouraging learners to gain deeper insights into the systems behind AI technologies.
To date, the platform, accessible through naii.co, has attracted more than 1,000 users, most of whom are Indonesian citizens.
Nusantara AI Institute is supported by Aether AI, a venture studio and venture capital company focused on building AI products and developing new technology startups.
During the launch event, Sandiaga Uno emphasized that AI literacy will become an essential life skill in the future and that Indonesians should not be left behind.
“This is no longer just an additional skill. In the future, AI literacy will become as fundamental as reading and writing, opening new career opportunities across every sector,” Sandiaga said.
Meanwhile, Robert Blake highlighted the growing importance of AI capabilities in both emerging and existing job markets. He noted that a stronger understanding of AI technologies could improve productivity and reduce operational workloads for professionals and organizations.
Blake also pointed out that AI opportunities in Indonesia are particularly concentrated in the healthcare and education sectors. He explained that AI-driven data optimization for disease research and pharmaceutical development could help strengthen Indonesia’s economy by leveraging the country’s biodiversity and natural chemical resources.
In education, AI-powered offline learning applications could help deliver lessons translated into hundreds of languages spoken across Indonesia’s 6,000 inhabited islands. Teachers could also utilize AI to streamline lesson planning, allowing them to dedicate more time to quality mentoring and student guidance.
Conclusion
Nusantara AI Institute reflects the growing contribution of Indonesian students and diaspora communities in expanding AI literacy, strengthening digital talent development, and supporting inclusive technological transformation across Indonesia.
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