Indonesia Charts Path for Ethical AI and Cybersecurity at US-ASEAN Business Council Workshop

Jakarta, July 1, 2025 — In a pivotal moment for Indonesia’s digital transformation, representatives from government, industry, and civil society gathered today for the US-ASEAN Business Council Workshop on Cybersecurity Regulation and AI Policy. The first session featured a strong presence from the government, signaling Indonesia’s commitment to ethical, secure, and inclusive AI development.

Speaking at the opening session, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital (Wamenkomdigi), Pak Nezar Patria, highlighted the historic opportunity before Indonesia. He emphasized the pillars of transformation: ethical artificial intelligence, legal certainty, and inclusive digital connectivity—with the nation already achieving 80% internet penetration and representing 40% of ASEAN’s population. He called for a spirit of gotong royong (collective collaboration) to drive digital progress that benefits all Indonesians.

Director General of the Digital Ecosystem, Pak Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, shed light on the multifaceted challenges in crafting a national AI roadmap. He pointed to critical tensions around AI’s philosophical underpinnings, the need for data sovereignty, infrastructure readiness, and the broader question of building sovereign AI. His remarks underscored the importance of a shared vision as Indonesia stands at a crossroads in shaping its AI future.

Adding a vital perspective on security, Pak Nur from BSSN (National Cyber and Crypto Agency) emphasized the inextricable link between AI development and cybersecurity. With Indonesia ranking among the top five countries globally affected by cyberattacks, any national AI strategy must embed principles of resilience, ethics, and security at its core.

For KORIKA, the dialogue reinforces its national mission: advancing AI ethics, guiding the national AI strategy, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to realize Indonesia Emas 2045—a vision of a sovereign, inclusive, and tech-enabled future.

KORIKA extends its sincere appreciation to the US-ASEAN Business Council for hosting this timely and forward-looking workshop.