Ambon Accelerates Data and AI-Driven Smart City Development
The Ambon City Government, Maluku, is accelerating the development of the Smart City concept through technology and data-driven approaches. This includes strengthening the ‘One Data Ambon’ system, integrating digital services, and utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI) across various sectors to improve the quality of public services and support more accurate policy-making.
Ambon Mayor Bodewin M., in a written statement in Ambon on Wednesday, stated that this acceleration is a follow-up measure after Ambon City achieved a score of 3.6 in the 2025 Smart City Implementation Evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi). The statement was made following his attendance at the opening of the XVIII National Working Meeting of the Association of All Indonesian City Governments (APEKSI) in Medan, North Sumatra.
He explained that the evaluation results published by Kemkomdigi’s Directorate General of Digital Government Technology placed Ambon City with a final score of 3.6, based on assessments across six main smart city dimensions: Smart Governance, Smart Economy, Smart Living, Smart Society, Smart Environment, and Smart Branding.
According to the Mayor, this achievement is the result of collaborative efforts by all regional apparatuses and community support in driving digital transformation across various public service sectors. Bodewint noted that various digital innovations already being developed are delivering tangible impacts for the community. Services such as the AI-based City Control Centre, the 112 Call Centre, and the WAJAR (Mayor Meets the People) programme are part of the efforts to strengthen responsive, transparent, and accessible governance.
“We continue to strive to provide public services that are increasingly easy, fast, transparent, and accessible to the community through the use of information technology,” he said.
He added that Ambon’s identity as a UNESCO City of Music also serves as a strength in Smart City development, which is being integrated with the 2025–2029 Smart City Master Plan. In addition to noting progress, the national evaluation also showed positive developments in several regional development indicators. Poverty rates continue to decline, the Human Development Index (HDI) is in the very high category, healthcare services are becoming increasingly digitised through e-Puskesmas integrated with the SATUSEHAT platform, and environmental management is being strengthened through various innovations.
As a follow-up, the Ambon City Government will focus on improving several aspects that remain challenging while accelerating comprehensive digital transformation. “We accept all feedback as material for improvement. Challenges such as waste management, strengthening regional financial governance, increasing digital system integration, and human resource development will be our main priorities for continuous improvement,” he emphasised.
To support these steps, the government will accelerate the development of the ‘One Data Ambon’ system so that all government services are interconnected and capable of supporting data-driven decision-making. The use of AI technology will also be expanded to the public service, tourism, creative economy, and disaster mitigation sectors.
“We are optimistic that, with the collaboration of all stakeholders, Ambon will continue to advance as a smart, creative, and inclusive city capable of competing at both national and international levels,” he said.
In the 2025 Smart City Implementation Evaluation, Ambon City was one of ten provincial capitals assessed nationally. Based on the Letter from the Director General of Digital Government Technology, Kemkomdigi, dated 12 May 2026, Ambon achieved a final score of 3.6, with details including a Baseline of 3.8, Output of 3.18, Outcome of 3.33, Impact of 3.94, Quick Wins of 4, and Emerging Technology of 4. This score placed Ambon above Balikpapan, which scored 3.59, and Batam, which scored 3.5. This achievement demonstrates that the foundation for Smart City development in Ambon is strengthening, serving as vital capital for accelerating digital transformation and improving public service quality.