Komdigi Strengthens Digital Talent for National AI Industry
Indonesia must urgently strengthen digital talent, AI industry, research, and ecosystem to not just be a market but also enter the global AI supply chain, says Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital (Komdigi) Nezar Patria, highlighting the need to match high AI adoption and digital economy potential with domestic AI industry development.
“In discussing AI industry, we’re talking about building its ecosystem and preparing digital talent. Indonesia is not yet fully part of the global AI supply chain, so we must start building now,” Patria stated during a keynote speech at the President Club’s forum on Indonesia’s AI Roadmap for Digital Sovereignty and National Resilience held at President Lounge, Batavia Tower, Jakarta.
Patria noted Indonesia needs around 12 million digital-skilled workers by 2030, which cannot be met by the government alone, requiring cross-sector collaboration including universities, research institutions, industries, and global tech firms.
The forum saw a memorandum of understanding signed between President University Education Foundation and Komdigi’s BPSDM to strengthen national digital talent development, especially for President University students. The agreement was signed by Foundation Chair Prof. Budi Susilo Soepandji and BPSDM Komdigi Head Bonifasius Wahyu Pudjianto.
Setyono Djuandi Darmono, Founder and Chairman of PT Jababeka Tbk and President University, as well as President Club founder, emphasised collaboration as key to building national digital innovation and ecosystem. “No developed country succeeds with government alone. Major innovations don’t emerge without an ecosystem,” he said.
Panel discussions covered strategic issues including national AI roadmap implementation, digital talent development, cybersecurity, data governance, national research, and digital ethics and security.
Attendees included BPSDM Komdigi Head Bonifasius Wahyu Pudjianto, BRIN Advisory Council Member Marsudi Wahyu Kisworo, Skha Consulting and Nalar AI Founder & Managing Partner Sayed Musaddiq, PT ASIX Indonesia Cerdas President Director Andrie Tjioe, and Catalyst Policy Works Executive Director Wahyudi Djafar.
During discussions, Andrie Tjioe proposed hybrid AI training for teachers to accelerate early digital talent development, which received positive feedback from BPSDM Komdigi as a government-industry collaboration opportunity.
The forum underscored that strengthening national AI requires more than regulations and infrastructure, necessitating concrete collaboration between government, universities, industry, and research institutions to bolster digital sovereignty and national resilience. (Z-10)