Kemkomdigi and JICA Forge Partnership to Develop AI Talent

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are strengthening cooperation to develop artificial intelligence (AI) talent to support child protection in digital spaces, tackle disinformation, and address various national development priorities. The collaboration was formalised through the signing of a Record of Discussions for the Next Generation AI Talent Factory Technical Cooperation Project at the Kemkomdigi office in Central Jakarta on Monday. Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria stated that the cooperation is a strategic step to strengthen Indonesia’s AI talent capacity and deepen the partnership between Indonesia and Japan in the field of digital transformation. “The cooperation we are undertaking today reflects the strong friendship and strategic partnership between Indonesia and Japan, particularly in preparing our societies to thrive in the digital era,” Nezar said. Amid the rapid advancement of AI and continuously shifting global geopolitical dynamics, both countries view collaboration as a crucial foundation for strengthening national capacity and accelerating innovation. “We desire a more equal partnership. I think this is an excellent cooperation that we are striving to strengthen between Japan and Indonesia to explore and develop this highly strategic AI technology,” he stated. He stressed that investment in human resources must be a top priority so that Indonesia does not merely become a technology user, but is also capable of developing AI solutions tailored to national needs. “To realise these opportunities, we must invest in the most important element, our human resources,” he asserted. Through the Next Generation AI Talent Factory, Kemkomdigi and JICA will bolster AI talent development in Indonesia via capacity building, knowledge exchange, institutional collaboration, and innovation development based on national requirements. He noted that AI talent development requires real-world experience that allows participants to transform knowledge into solutions that have a tangible impact on society. “AI talent development requires more than just classroom learning. It should be broader than that,” he remarked. Since its implementation in 2025, the AI Talent Factory programme has demonstrated tangible results through the development of various AI-based solutions to support national development priorities. In 2026, the programme will be expanded through collaboration with Brawijaya University, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, and Gadjah Mada University, involving 98 participants. These solutions utilise AI technology to support data-driven decision-making, improve the quality of learning, strengthen child protection, enhance the targeting accuracy of social assistance programmes, and support more effective public communication strategies. Bonifasius, an official from the ministry, emphasised that the signing of the cooperation agreement with JICA is not the conclusion of the process, but rather the beginning of a new phase in strengthening the national AI talent ecosystem. “This is not the conclusion of a process, but rather the beginning of this chapter, which will be assisted by JICA,” he revealed. Through this collaboration, Kemkomdigi and JICA are driving the acceleration of a generation of Indonesian AI talent that is globally competitive, capable of building solutions for various national challenges, and supporting Indonesia’s AI sovereignty through the safe, responsible, and community-oriented use of technology.