Regulation Must Be a Catalyst for Digital Economy Growth, Says Kemkomdigi
The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Kemkomdigi) has stated that regulation must act as a catalyst for innovation, provide certainty for investors, and accelerate the growth of start-ups and Indonesia’s digital economy.
Director General of Digital Ecosystem at Kemkomdigi, Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, stressed that regulation must provide legal certainty for business actors and investors, as well as drive the birth of innovation and economic growth.
“Regulation does not only serve as a driver of compliance, but must also be a catalyst for digital economic growth,” he said, as quoted in a ministry press release confirmed in Jakarta on Friday.
He conveyed that Kemkomdigi is working to strengthen the policy foundation to support the acceleration of national digital transformation, including preparing regulations on a roadmap and ethical guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI).
Edwin said that these regulations would become the basis for encouraging wider use of AI while strengthening the national digital ecosystem.
“Soon we will have regulations for AI, there are two, a roadmap and ethics. Once these are signed by the President, the use of AI will move faster,” he said.
He added that the wider the reach of connectivity, the greater the data exchange that can drive digital economic activity.
“Data exchange is the key to future economic growth,” he said.
He stated that the government cannot leave the entire process of digital economic development solely to market mechanisms.
“The government must be an enabler and must be a catalyst, especially for digital economic growth,” he said.
Edwin invited start-up players to take advantage of government development programmes such as Bali Tech Week and the Garuda Spark innovation centres in various regions.
These programmes are designed to produce more digital talents capable of creating added value for the national economy.
“We must not let the demographic bonus become a disaster instead of a bonus, because we need a lot of young talent who can create economic value,” said Edwin.