Kadin: Equitable Access to Technology Will Accelerate AI Utilisation for Business

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) assesses that equitable access to technology for business actors, including small, micro, and medium enterprises (UMKM), is crucial to accelerate the utilisation of artificial intelligence (AI) for business activities and the economy. “What needs attention is UMKM business actors, where the government must be present to provide training, introduction, opportunities, and challenges with this AI technology,” said Kadin’s Deputy General Chairman for Regional Autonomy, Sarman Simanjorang, when contacted in Jakarta on Monday. Sarman assesses that this is considering that the majority of UMKM actors in Indonesia still require further mentoring so that the utilisation of the latest technology such as AI can be maximised for expanding their business activities. Meanwhile, several benefits of AI for business, especially for UMKM, include in the business planning process to more efficient data management. “Because the majority of our UMKM still need mentoring, UMKM actors must also be literate about AI. For example, how AI can help the smoothness of UMKM business from the promotion side, design, appearance, and others. If they are already literate, they will be able to reduce their operational costs,” said Sarman. He also acknowledges that currently the business and industrial world cannot be separated from technological developments that change quickly and become increasingly sophisticated every time. According to him, both entrepreneurs and workers must not be left behind by that pace and must quickly adapt to remain competitive at the national, regional, and global levels. Sarman also assesses that the use of technology such as AI in business and industry is very relevant to the development of the national digital economy at present. “We business actors respond to the government’s initiative in developing the utilisation of AI in the development of the digital economy to encourage national economic growth,” said Sarman. “The business world, especially the upper middle class, is in principle ready and even already implementing AI in various fields according to the needs of each company,” he added.