TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Indonesia eyes 'sovereign AI fund' to drive development, document shows

The AI race has seen neighboring Malaysia secure billions of dollars from global tech firms seeking to build critical infrastructure to meet growing demand for cloud and AI services.

Reuters
Jakarta
Tue, August 12, 2025 Published on Aug. 12, 2025 Published on 2025-08-12T16:43:20+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
An illustration of artificial intelligence activities. An illustration of artificial intelligence activities. (Shutterstock/SuPatMaN)

A

uthorities overseeing the development of artificial intelligence in Indonesia have proposed a "sovereign AI fund" to finance the archipelago's ambitions to become a regional hub for the fast-growing technology, a government document showed.

Last month, Reuters reported that Southeast Asia's largest economy would release its first national roadmap on AI in a bid to attract foreign investment as it looks to join the global AI and chip-making race.

The race has seen neighboring Malaysia secure billions of dollars from global tech firms seeking to build critical infrastructure to meet growing demand for cloud and AI services.

The Indonesia strategy, released in the form of a 179-page white paper seen by Reuters, recommends, among other things, a sovereign AI fund mainly handled by the country's new sovereign wealth fund Danantara Indonesia, which controls over $900 billion in assets.

Danantara Indonesia did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The paper did not specify the amount that would be needed, but estimated a 2027 to 2029 timeline to set up the fund, and a public-private model to finance Indonesia's AI push. It also suggests increasing fiscal incentives for domestic investors in AI, without providing details.

Prospects

Every Monday

With exclusive interviews and in-depth coverage of the region's most pressing business issues, "Prospects" is the go-to source for staying ahead of the curve in Indonesia's rapidly evolving business landscape.

By registering, you agree with The Jakarta Post's

Thank You

for signing up our newsletter!

Please check your email for your newsletter subscription.

View More Newsletter

The strategy paper, which the communications and digital ministry said still awaits public feedback before the final draft, maps Indonesia's computational readiness for AI and makes recommendations for AI-related policy strategies until 2030.

"Indonesia right now is in the early stages of AI adoption," the document reads. Industry players including Chinese giant Huawei and Indonesia's biggest technology company GoTo contributed to the report.

An April report by the Boston Consulting Group said ASEAN nations were positioned for substantial AI-driven gains, with GDP contributions ranging from 2.3 percent to 3.1 percent by 2027, and Indonesia could see the highest impact in terms of absolute gross domestic output growth.

The roadmap also details challenges for Indonesia including a lack of talent, low research funding, uneven connectivity outside big cities, risks of misinformation and data leaks.

Global tech companies have courted the AI drive in Indonesia, including Nvidia and Microsoft.

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.