Top AI Talent Salaries Reach Rp1 Trillion as Danantara Opens Job Opportunities

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - The Investment Management Agency (BPI) Danantara has highlighted human resource challenges, particularly for highly skilled artificial intelligence (AI) talent. Global competition for AI workers is intensifying, with sky-high salaries reaching up to Rp1 trillion per person.

Chief Investment Officer (CIO) of Danantara, Pandu Sjahrir, stated that current labour issues are split between unskilled workers and highly skilled personnel. He noted that different approaches are required for each category.

He explained that for unskilled workers, the focus is on creating jobs and upskilling. However, for highly skilled personnel, the main challenge lies in global competition to recruit them.

“For example, in AI, there may only be 600-700 highly skilled workers. So for one person, say if OpenAI moves to Meta, the cost per person is Rp1 trillion,” Pandu said in his presentation on Tuesday, 26 May 2026.

According to Pandu, top AI talent can be worth more than entire professional sports teams such as those in the NBA or Champions League.

Therefore, Danantara is focusing on developing high-skilled labour. This strategy aims to attract foreign investment while enhancing domestic human capital to compete globally.

Pandu stated that Danantara aims to elevate skilled workers to higher economic value. He added that competition for AI talent will be a key global race in the future.

Additionally, Danantara is seeking partnerships with global financial hubs to attract the world’s best talent to Indonesia.

“Danantara’s focus is on a select few. We can partner with financial centres to secure the best talent and make Indonesia a home for them,” he concluded.