AI in governance

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gradually evolving from a mere discussion topic among technology developers into a core component of the national development agenda.

While a few years ago AI was more frequently discussed within the context of creative industries or technology companies, the conversation has now shifted into the realm of policy. The government is beginning to view AI as an instrument to improve government governance and public services.

This shift in direction is evident from the increasing frequency of AI mentions in official state speeches and the drafting of national regulations. In fact, the government has prepared two draft Presidential Regulations that will serve as the foundation for AI development in Indonesia: a Presidential Regulation on the AI Roadmap and a Presidential Regulation on AI Ethics. Both mark a new chapter where AI transforms from being merely a technology into a part of state policy.

Vice President Gibran Rakabulating Raka has been one of the most active figures advocating for this agenda. In various occasions throughout 2025 and into mid-2026, ranging from school visits to university forums, he has encouraged the public not to view AI solely as a tool for creating images, videos, or animations.

According to him, the scope for AI utilisation is far broader, including government administration, tax payments, public services, and disaster mitigation.

Gibran’s message is not merely about accelerating technology adoption. He has repeatedly emphasised that AI must be used responsibly, while critical thinking, creativity, and decision-making must remain in human hands.

This perspective demonstrates that the government is striving to position AI as a tool that enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them.

This viewpoint is crucial because, in practice, the success of AI implementation in the public sector is not determined solely by technological sophistication. The experience of many nations shows that no matter how advanced a technology is, it still requires good governance to ensure its benefits are truly felt by the community.

This awareness is reflected in the government’s steps to draft regulations. The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has completed two draft Presidential Regulations that are now awaiting the President’s signature. The first regulation contains the national AI development roadmap for the 2026-2029 period, while the second regulates the ethics of AI utilisation.

Both regulations serve different but complementary functions. The roadmap serves as a guide for the direction of the national AI ecosystem development, while the ethics regulation ensures that AI utilisation remains within the corridors of transparency, accountability, system security, public protection, and human control.

This approach shows that the government does not intend to make regulation a barrier to innovation. Instead, regulation is positioned as a foundation to ensure that AI development proceeds with legal certainty while minimising potential risks.