Why Indonesia is building ‘sovereign AI’ to keep its data at home
Indonesia is accelerating the rollout of its National AI Roadmap 2026 as officials push to develop what they call “sovereign AI,” an effort to reduce reliance on foreign technology platforms and keep sensitive national data within the country’s jurisdiction.
 |
| Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Nezar Patria. Photo: Instagram/indonesiago.id |
JAKARTA — A recent policy brief from the Ministry of Communication and Digital outlines plans to build domestic computing clusters and localized large language models tailored to Indonesia’s legal framework, languages and public service needs.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Nezar Patria said the government sees sovereign AI as a strategic necessity rather than a technological ambition.
“The government is encouraging, supporting, and will continue to back all initiatives aimed at building sovereign AI in Indonesia. This is something we urgently need,” Nezar said.
Officials say the initiative is intended to ensure that AI systems used in government services, healthcare and education operate under Indonesian regulatory oversight, while also supporting the country’s broader economic targets.
The roadmap calls for cooperation between state-owned enterprises, local technology firms and foreign partners willing to engage in technology transfer. It is also backed by what the ministry describes as an “AI Talent Factory,” aimed at training up to 100,000 AI-ready specialists each year.
The push comes as governments worldwide reassess where their data is stored and how algorithms that shape public services are built, amid rising geopolitical tensions and growing concerns over digital dependence.
Indonesia’s vast linguistic diversity — with more than 700 local languages — and complex regulatory environment have posed challenges for foreign-developed AI systems, which are often trained on data sets that do not fully reflect local contexts, officials say.
Building sovereign AI, however, presents practical hurdles. Advanced GPU infrastructure, reliable energy supply and sustained investment will be required to support large-scale data centers and model training.
Still, policymakers argue that relying entirely on external platforms could limit Indonesia’s ability to control how its data is processed and used in critical sectors.
As the 2026 roadmap moves forward, Indonesia is positioning itself among a small but growing group of countries seeking greater control over the infrastructure that underpins artificial intelligence, while continuing to engage with global technology partners.
Post a Comment