Government prioritises AI talent development

Jakarta - Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria stated that the development of artificial intelligence (AI) talent is a government priority in implementing national digital transformation and realizing the vision of Indonesia Emas 2045. “The nation’s competitiveness in the AI era is determined by how many talents are able to understand, develop, and utilise the technology to answer the nation’s challenges,” he said at the Garuda AI Impact Summit 2026 in Jakarta on Thursday. “That is why the national AI talent development agenda will continue to be a government priority in realising Indonesia Emas 2045,” he added. Nezar said that one of the major challenges faced in the AI era is preparing human resources who can utilise the technology productively and responsibly. He then cited the Stanford AI Index Report 2024, which shows a perception gap between experts and the general public regarding AI’s impact on the world of work. According to the report, 73 percent of AI experts believe the technology will have a positive impact on jobs, but only 23 percent of the public share a similar view. Nezar said this difference in perception demonstrates the importance of improving digital literacy and developing AI skills so that the public can understand both the opportunities and risks arising from the development of AI technology. Therefore, the government has made digital talent development efforts a priority in the implementation of national digital transformation. “We want the benefits of AI to be felt by students, teachers, MSME actors, government apparatus, local communities, and the general public throughout the archipelago,” said Nezar. In addition, Nezar said the government continues to encourage the birth of AI-based innovations from young Indonesian talents. The AI Ready Asia programme, run jointly with the ASEAN Foundation, has reached more than 5.3 million Indonesians and its reach will continue to be expanded until 2028. The government is also developing the Garuda SPARK Innovation Hub, which brings together talent, industry, academia, and government in one innovation ecosystem to accelerate the development of AI technology in Indonesia. Nezar emphasised that AI must be a means to open up opportunities for learning, innovating, and improving the quality of life for the wider community. “Indonesia’s commitment is clear, which is to ensure that AI does not only belong to a select few, but becomes a force that opens opportunities for all society,” he said.