Digital Transformation Must Support Cultural Advancement, Says Minister Meutya

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid has stated that beyond bringing prosperity to society, digital transformation must also support cultural advancement. Speaking at The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) Forum 2026 Ministerial Roundtable in Geneva, Switzerland, on Friday (10/7), she conveyed that local languages and indigenous knowledge must be given room to grow alongside technological progress. As quoted in a ministerial press release received in Jakarta on Saturday, she emphasised that the success of digital transformation is not solely measured by technological advancement and the value of the digital economy, but also by its impact on public welfare and cultural progress. “Digital technology must serve as a bridge between innovation and culture. Local languages, indigenous knowledge, and local communities must be part of the digital future,” she said. At the WSIS Forum 2026, the Indonesian delegation stressed the importance of international collaboration to accelerate the equitable distribution of digital transformation benefits. The delegation also conveyed that strengthening human resource capacity, technology transfer, sustainable funding, and the involvement of developing countries in global digital governance are key to realising a more inclusive digital transformation. Measures to strengthen the foundations of digital transformation are aligned with the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda to deliver higher quality and more accessible public services. The implementation of digital transformation is supported by the operation of the SATRIA-1 Satellite, optimisation of the Palapa Ring network, and the expansion of 5G telecommunication services to enhance connectivity across all regions of Indonesia. “However, the ultimate goal is not merely to provide connectivity. Digital transformation must create productivity, open economic opportunities, and improve the quality of life for the people,” Meutya stated. Consequently, the government continues to strive to boost the digital economy, whose value has now reached approximately US$100 billion (around Rp1.8 quadrillion), accounting for nearly a third of the ASEAN digital economy. The government is targeting the digital economy’s value to reach US$200 billion (around Rp3.6 quadrillion) by 2030. In line with this, the government is working to secure the digital space by implementing Government Regulation Number 17 of 2025 on Electronic System Governance in Child Protection, known as the PP TUNAS. This regulation, among other things, requires digital platform providers to implement user age verification, service risk classification, and enhanced protection for children. The Indonesian delegation at the WSIS Forum 2026 also affirmed that the development of artificial intelligence must be human-centred; conducted ethically, transparently, and accountably; and respect privacy, human rights, and cultural diversity as the foundation for sustainable digital transformation.