Vice Minister of Communication and Digital, Nezar Patria, emphasized that Indonesia's ambition to realize sovereign artificial intelligence (AI) cannot rely solely on mastering software. According to him, building a comprehensive ecosystem, ranging from increasing digital talent capacity to providing capable computing infrastructure, is an absolute prerequisite that must be carried out simultaneously.
In a meeting with the management of GreatAsic and the Indonesia Chip Design Collaborative Center (ICDEC), Nezar highlighted the strategic position of semiconductors as the backbone of the global AI industry. Mastery of chip technology has now become a benchmark for a country's competitiveness in the technological geopolitical map, where access to advanced resources is a determining factor for future national independence.
Indonesia actually has a competitive advantage in the form of rich critical minerals, which are the main raw materials for semiconductor manufacturing. However, Nezar warned that this potential would not have a significant economic impact if Indonesia only acts as a raw material supplier. Therefore, the government is encouraging cross-sector collaboration that prioritizes technology transfer to create domestic added value.
Furthermore, Nezar emphasized that AI sovereignty cannot be achieved in isolation, given the complexity of interconnected global supply chains. Synergy within the ASEAN region is seen as a crucial step, where market power, cultural proximity, and regional strategic resources can be integrated into a more resilient and internationally competitive AI cluster.
As a regulator, the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) is also committed to mitigating the risks of disruptive technologies in the future, including preparedness for the quantum computing era. This effort is aimed at ensuring that the ongoing digital transformation remains aligned with national security principles and provides concrete benefits to all levels of society.
