Artificial intelligence (AI) is now being touted as a vital instrument in accelerating financial inclusion in Indonesia. This technology is projected to be able to reach micro-business actors and community groups that have so far been untouched by formal banking services, as discussed in the "Grassroot Economies in the Age of AI" session at The 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum.
Managing Director & Partner at BCG, Tushar Agarwal, highlighted a financial access paradox in Indonesia. Although 51% of the population has access to banking, less than 20% of them actively use these services for their daily needs. According to Tushar, voice-based technology or voice AI has great potential to break through digital literacy barriers and language constraints that have historically hindered grassroots communities from adopting digital financial services.
On the other hand, the fundamental challenge faced by small business owners is the lack of a financial data footprint. Chief Product Officer of Amartha, Avnish Kalhan, emphasized that AI functions as an operational support that increases efficiency, rather than just an instant solution. The presence of AI is expected to help financial service providers process risk profiles more accurately, though it still requires strong cross-sector collaboration.
Echoing this view, CEO of Adehyeman Savings and Loans Ltd, Joe Emmim, added that the key to successful AI implementation lies in the availability of high-quality data to make services more personalized. Strengthening connectivity infrastructure is also an absolute prerequisite, as stated by the Director of Planning and Transformation of Telkomsel, Wong Soon Nam. According to him, stable connectivity is the primary foundation for AI to help MSME owners make more targeted data-driven business decisions.
Experts agree that the utilization of AI must be positioned as a tool for economic empowerment. With the right integration, this technology is expected to open up access to capital and broader economic opportunities, so that digital transformation can be enjoyed equally by all levels of society.
