Jakarta, INTI - Agentic Artificial Intelligence (Agentic AI) needs to be utilized as a strategic national instrument to drive more precise, adaptive, and data-driven public policies in the digital era.
This was emphasized by Secretary-General of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Ismail, during the Governance Agentic AI event in Central Jakarta on Wednesday, January 29, 2026.
He highlighted that mastering Agentic AI is crucial for the government to understand digital lifestyle patterns of the population and formulate policies that are truly targeted.
“Today, people’s lifestyles are recorded through search engines, messaging apps, social media, and marketplaces. Yet the government is not in a position to fully interpret these data sources. As a result, public policies, including in tourism and transportation, are often off-target,” said Ismail.
Ismail stressed that the main issue is not data ownership, but rather accessibility and the government’s ability to analyze aggregated patterns for public benefit, without violating privacy and legal principles.
Beyond data, the Secretary-General also highlighted the importance of Agentic AI in strengthening digital sovereignty, creating national economic opportunities, and generating high-value jobs for Indonesia’s digital talent.
Ismail noted that many AI solutions require adaptation to Indonesia’s specific context. Relying solely on off-the-shelf technologies, he warned, would keep the country at the lowest layer of the value chain. Agentic AI, he said, offers an opportunity for Indonesian talents to actively develop solutions that are aligned with national needs.
“Many AI solutions need to be adapted to the Indonesian context. If we only adopt ready-made technologies, we will always remain at the lowest layer. Agentic AI creates opportunities for the nation’s young talents to develop solutions that are relevant to national needs,” he said.
Ethics, Governance, and the Role of the State
In terms of implementation, Ismail stressed the importance of establishing ethical frameworks and clear boundaries from the outset, ensuring that the use of Agentic AI minimizes risks and is carried out responsibly.
“This is not merely about technology, but about building systems and culture. The boundaries must be clear, where legal domains begin, where ethics apply, and how risks are mitigated in a tangible and implementable manner,” he explained.
To support this effort, Ismail underscored the role of the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) as the orchestrator of national AI infrastructure development, noting that the scale of investment and complexity involved cannot be left entirely to the private sector in isolation.
“Indonesia is a large country with extensive needs. AI infrastructure must be clearly directed and orchestrated so that we do not fall behind and can truly support national interests,” he emphasized.
Ismail also called on all stakeholders government, the private sector, academia, and young digital talents, to collaborate in building a sovereign, inclusive, and nationally oriented Agentic AI ecosystem in Indonesia.
“The start must be now, now or never. We want Agentic AI to grow in Indonesia with a clear direction and deliver real benefits to society,” he concluded.
Conclusion
Ismail’s remarks underline that Agentic AI is not merely a technological advancement, but a strategic instrument for national development. With strong governance, ethical safeguards, and coordinated infrastructure, Agentic AI can strengthen Indonesia’s digital sovereignty, empower local talent, and ensure that artificial intelligence delivers tangible benefits for the public and the national economy.
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