AI in Indonesia is gaining traction, according to Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, the Chairperson of the National Economic Council (DEN). In a recent Instagram post, he highlighted AI’s potential to enhance public services and empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
"There is an ongoing dialectic regarding the development of AI. Some may see it as a threat. However, I see AI as a great opportunity to enhance public services, accelerate industrial transformation, and empower MSMEs in Indonesia," he stated.
Pandjaitan underscored the necessity for Indonesia to bolster its AI capabilities, particularly through localized solutions. The AI Center at Institut Teknologi Del (IT Del) in North Sumatra serves as a prime example, developing projects like the ‘GASING’ model for tourism and public services. 
He emphasized:
"We need a national AI road map that addresses education, healthcare, agriculture, and public services, backed by serious investment in research, talent, and digital infrastructure."
With Indonesia’s productive-age population at 190 million, he warned against becoming a passive player in the global tech landscape.
"Only through synergy can we ensure Indonesia becomes a driver of direction, not merely a follower in this new era of technological civilization," he concluded.
For MSMEs, the call is clear: adopt AI to drive growth and innovation. The push for AI adoption reflects a broader trend in Southeast Asia’s industrial transformation.
