Kemkomdigi: AI has the potential to become 5G's 'killer content'

The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Kemkomdigi) believes that Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to become the primary application driving the utilisation of 5G networks in Indonesia, following the increasing need for high-speed connectivity to support various AI-based services. Denny Setiawan, Director of Digital Infrastructure Strategy and Policy at Kemkom Serkomdigi, stated that the telecommunications industry has been searching for a primary use case or ‘killer content’ that can accelerate the adoption of 5G technology. ‘We have always wondered what the killer content for 5G would be. It turns out it might be AI, and it looks like it is,’ Denny said during a discussion at the Selular Award 2026 event in Jakarta on Monday. He explained that internet usage in the 4G era has largely been dominated by data downloading activities, whereas the development of AI is expected to create more complex traffic patterns requiring stronger network infrastructure support. Therefore, the development of AI and 5G is considered necessary to progress alongside one another to support the creation of new economic value in the digital era. ‘I personally use AI to create rapid presentations. The same goes for students. Consultants can use it too, and it makes them more productive,’ he added. He expressed optimism that AI development will accelerate in Indonesia, given the large domestic digital market which encompasses approximately one-third of the ASEAN population. According to Denny, this supporting ecosystem is a crucial factor in ensuring that the benefits of AI can be felt more widely by the public while simultaneously driving national digital economic growth.