Jakarta, INTI – The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has officially established a dedicated division to oversee the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies. This move raises many questions: Is Indonesia finally ready for the AI revolution? Or could this pose a threat to the local workforce ecosystem?
Why Did Komdigi Create an AI Division?
According to Bonifasius Wahyu Pudjianto, Head of the Human Resource Development Agency (BPSDM) at Komdigi, this division plays a crucial role in driving the downstream adoption of new technologies across Indonesia’s key sectors.
Aju Widyasari, formerly the Director of Telecommunications at the Directorate General of Post and Informatics, now leads this division as the Director of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology Ecosystem. Together with her team, she is responsible for ensuring AI adoption across various industries.
What Are the Division’s Key Roles?
- AI Technology Implementation
- Promoting AI adoption in strategic sectors such as healthcare, transportation, and government.
- Regulatory Sandbox Development
- Conducting policy trials to analyze AI’s impact before large-scale implementation.
- Emerging Technology Adoption
- Encouraging the integration of new technologies into national industries.
Indonesia Still Lacks AI Regulations – What Are the Risks?
As of now, Indonesia has no specific regulations governing AI. The only existing guideline is Ministerial Circular No. 9 of 2023 on AI Ethics, which is purely advisory.
Komdigi is currently drafting stronger regulations by engaging key stakeholders. Discussions that began in January 2025 are expected to result in concrete policies before the end of the year.
Without clear regulations, several major risks loom:
- AI misuse for deepfake content and misinformation.
- Mass unemployment due to job automation.
- Lack of ethical standards in AI development.
Indonesia Needs 600,000 AI Talents – Are We Ready?
The AI revolution doesn’t just require regulations; it also demands skilled professionals. Indonesia is projected to need around 600,000 digital talents annually until 2030. If this demand is not met, companies will seek AI experts from abroad.
To address this, programs like Laskar AI by Lintasarta and Dicoding Indonesia aim to develop local AI talent. Out of 13,588 applicants, 657 participants have been selected for a six-month AI training program.
The program combines:
- Machine Learning and Data Science training
- Soft skills development for industry readiness
Conclusion: A Major Step Toward Indonesia’s AI Future
With the establishment of Komdigi’s AI division, Indonesia is taking a serious step into the AI era. However, without strong regulations and a sufficient talent pool, AI adoption could bring more risks than benefits.
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