Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is calling for stronger public–private collaboration to enforce the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Law, stressing that public trust is now a crucial “digital currency.” Deputy Minister Nezar Patria warned that millions of data breaches in 2023 — most involving theft of personal information — threaten the nation’s rapidly growing digital economy. At a seminar in Jakarta, officials highlighted the need for joint enforcement, privacy-by-design practices, and stronger oversight to ensure innovation advances securely. Through initiatives like the Garuda Spark Innovation Hub, the government aims to unite enterprises, startups, academics, and regulators to build a trusted and competitive digital ecosystem.

Indonesia is taking a firm stand against digital colonialism, linking President Prabowo Subianto’s warning on online gambling to broader global challenges of unregulated digital power. By promoting ethical AI governance, data protection, and fairness in digital ecosystems, Indonesia positions itself as a Global South leader in shaping inclusive, human-centered technology. Through domestic AI regulations and international cooperation via ASEAN, NAM, and BRICS, the country aims to ensure that technology serves humanity — not exploitation.

Indonesia’s Manpower Minister Yassierli has urged workers to prepare for rapid changes driven by artificial intelligence and the global shift toward green industries. Warning that foreign talent could fill domestic roles if the workforce is not ready, he stressed the importance of upskilling, labor union support, and revitalizing Indonesia’s traditional values of cooperation and consensus. The minister called for inclusive industrial transformation to ensure shared progress across companies, workers, and MSMEs.

The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has urged AI developers to prioritise transparency, ethics, and accountability in creating AI innovations. With AI-based fraud causing losses of around US$42 million, the government is preparing a National AI Roadmap to ensure responsible AI adoption across key sectors, including health, education, finance, and transportation.

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Technology Stella Christie underscored that empathy, creativity, and analytical thinking — not artificial intelligence (AI) — will define the future. While AI continues to reshape industries and daily life, Christie emphasized that the true key lies in developing quality human resources through upskilling and reskilling. With the right approach, she said, AI can serve as an enabler rather than a disruptor for Indonesia’s progress.

Indonesia is drafting a Cybersecurity and Resilience Bill aimed at strengthening the nation’s digital defenses. Led by an inter-ministerial committee including the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Kominfo, and BSSN, the bill is expected to be completed by the end of the year. Once enacted, it will establish clearer governance for cyber threats and resilience—creating new compliance and infrastructure opportunities for IT solution providers.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs has launched the AI Talent Factory to prepare Indonesia for global tech competition. The programme aims to nurture advanced AI experts capable of addressing national challenges and fostering innovation, while encouraging the development of locally grounded AI applications.

Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund, the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), is sharpening its focus on digital infrastructure, healthcare innovation, and renewable energy to attract global partners and boost sustainable growth. With $10 billion in assets under management, INA is investing in data centres, AI applications in healthcare, and clean energy projects, while prioritising Indonesia-linked opportunities to strengthen the nation’s economic resilience.

Indonesia’s Deputy SOEs Minister Kartika Wirjoatmodjo has urged stronger cybersecurity measures to safeguard the country’s growing digital economy, with banks increasingly targeted by phishing and ransomware. He stressed the need for “cyber troops” and integrated security systems to protect public trust and financial stability.