Jakarta, INTI – In an exclusive interview with Intimedia on May 2, 2025, Rudi Rusdiah, Chairman of the Indonesia Big Data and AI Association (ABDI), shared insights on the vast potential, emerging trends, and major challenges shaping the future of Indonesia’s big data ecosystem. From market growth projections to strategic concerns like data sovereignty, the discussion highlighted key takeaways for both public and private sectors.
Big Data Market to Grow Significantly, Reaching IDR 17 Trillion by 2026
According to the International Data Corporation (IDC), Indonesia’s big data analytics market is projected to grow at 12.4% annually far surpassing the national GDP growth rate of around 5%. The market is expected to reach USD 1.3 billion, or approximately IDR 17 trillion, by 2026.
The banking sector accounts for the largest share (25%), followed by telecommunications (20%) and government (15%). This indicates a growing reliance on data-driven decision-making and operational efficiency across strategic sectors.
Data Infrastructure: Major Investments and Technological Readiness
Beyond analytics software, data infrastructure including cloud computing, data centers, and AI factories is witnessing a surge in investment. IDC estimates that investment in data infrastructure will reach USD 3 billion (around IDR 51 trillion) in 2025, excluding additional plans from tech giants like Microsoft in Bekasi and Taiwanese investors in Batam.
Cloud adoption is also expanding beyond large enterprises, with 60% of Indonesian organizations reportedly beginning implementation.
AI Democratization and Inclusive Technology: Big Data for All
A key trend in big data development is the democratization of technology and inclusive access to AI. According to Rudi Rusdiah, technologies like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Deepseek are enabling MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises) to leverage AI for business needs no longer limiting AI to large corporations.
One notable local initiative is Sahabat AI, an Indonesia-based AI platform built on local data and supported by Gotu-Gojek, Nvidia, Indosat, and national universities. Sahabat AI ensures that user data remains within Indonesia, avoiding the need to rely on foreign platforms. Rudi noted that the Ministry of Finance has begun adopting Sahabat AI, though it has not yet reached widespread public use.
QRIS and Fintech: Local Innovation Driven by Big Data
Bank Indonesia has played a key role in driving big data innovation through the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS). Although visually simple, QRIS is powered by AI visual recognition systems, supporting financial inclusion down to small business operators. In fact, QRIS is seen as a strategic innovation that has posed serious competition to global platforms like Visa and Mastercard.
Data Sovereignty: The Urgency of Infrastructure and Cybersecurity
One of the most pressing strategic issues is data sovereignty. The government has launched the National Data Center (PDNS 2) to unify data from various agencies. However, a hacking incident involving PDNS 2 revealed significant gaps in cybersecurity preparedness, raising public concerns about the government's capacity to protect sensitive national data such as immigration records.
Rudi emphasized that cybersecurity must be the top priority in developing national data centers. With robust security in place, Indonesia can fully realize its data sovereignty goals and reduce reliance on foreign platforms.
Strategic Steps: Collaboration, Regulation, and Education
To harness the full potential of big data, several strategic steps are recommended:
- Encourage data localization through policies by the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia.
- Accelerate the development of Sahabat AI as a local alternative to CGPT, Deepseek, and similar platforms.
- Promote data and AI literacy, ensuring adoption goes beyond institutions and reaches the wider public.
Conclusion: The Future of Big Data Requires Collective Action
With rapid growth ahead, big data and AI have the potential to become the backbone of Indonesia’s digital economic transformation. However, to fully capitalize on this momentum, synergy among the public sector, private enterprises, and civil society is essential. Initiatives like Sahabat AI, strengthened cybersecurity, and robust local infrastructure will be critical to safeguarding sovereignty and advancing inclusive, sustainable technological progress.
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