Jakarta, INTI - Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria emphasized that cultural digitization plays a strategic role in the era of Artificial Intelligence. He noted that cultural data forms an important part of the broader data ecosystem required for the development of digital technologies.
“In the age of artificial intelligence, data has become extremely valuable, and culture is an integral part of that universe of data,” he said during the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Culture Indonesia and several ministries, institutions, and regional governments at the ministry’s office in Central Jakarta on Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
Cultural Data Becomes Strategic Asset in the AI Era
Nezar explained that the digitization process enables cultural works, traditions, and knowledge that were previously difficult to access to become more widely available to the public and researchers through various digital platforms.
He stressed that this effort is particularly important for Indonesia, a country with vast cultural wealth and a long history of civilization.
Through digitization, cultural data does not merely function as an archive but can also serve as a valuable source of knowledge that supports research and future technological development.
“By digitizing cultural assets, we can document and introduce works, traditions, and cultural knowledge so they become easier to access through digital platforms,” Nezar said.
Global Trend in Digitizing Cultural Heritage
He also noted that the digital archiving of cultural heritage is becoming a global trend. One example is an initiative by University of Oxford in collaboration with UNESCO, which digitally reconstructed the historic site of Palmyra using advanced digital technologies.
Nezar added that collaboration between the Ministry of Culture Indonesia and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs Indonesia is expected to accelerate the digitization of Indonesia’s cultural artifacts and knowledge.
“Technology should serve as a tool not only to preserve but also to introduce the nation’s cultural achievements to present and future generations,” he concluded.
Conclusion
The initiative reflects Indonesia’s broader effort to safeguard its rich cultural heritage while adapting to the data-driven landscape of the digital age. By accelerating cultural digitization, the government aims to ensure that Indonesia’s traditions, knowledge, and historical assets remain accessible and relevant for innovation, research, and future technological development in the era of Artificial Intelligence.
Read more: Researchers in Australia Built a Light-Powered AI Chip