The Southeast Asian country is strengthening its technological independence with a sovereign AI infrastructure, an independent regulatory framework, and the promotion of local language models like Sahabat-AI.
Indonesia, one of the world’s largest emerging markets, has taken a decisive step toward digital sovereignty by establishing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellence (AI CoE), a joint initiative between the Indonesian government, telecommunications company Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH), NVIDIA, and Cisco. Led by the Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), the project aims not only to enhance the country’s technological infrastructure but also to develop local talent, create skilled jobs, and democratize access to cutting-edge technologies.
Framed within the ambitious “Golden Indonesia 2045” strategy, which seeks to transform the nation into an economic and industrial powerhouse by its centennial independence, the center represents a firm commitment to a model of sovereign AI where the country retains control over data, algorithms, and infrastructure.
A comprehensive Indonesian-led AI ecosystem
The new AI CoE will feature an “AI factory” equipped with NVIDIA technology, including Blackwell architecture GPUs, reference architectures for cloud partners, and NVIDIA AI Enterprise software. Additionally, Cisco will provide its sovereign cybersecurity platform, SOC Cloud, which combines intelligent threat detection with local data control and managed security services.
This center is more than just a technical facility. It will serve as a hub for applied research, talent development through NVIDIA’s Deep Learning Institute program, and support for local startups through integration into NVIDIA Inception. Ronnie Vasishta, NVIDIA’s senior vice president of Telecommunications, emphasizes the clear goal: “Democratize AI so Indonesia can build a sustainable ecosystem that can serve as a model for other emerging nations.”
Four strategic pillars
The initiative is structured around four main axes:
1. Sovereign infrastructure: Establishing a high-capacity national network for AI workloads, managed within Indonesia, scalable to local needs.
2. Secure AI processing: Cisco will ensure data flows, models, and applications are protected against threats, maintaining privacy and sovereignty.
3. AI for all: By 2027, hundreds of millions of Indonesians should access AI-based services, overcoming geographic and economic barriers.
4. Talent development: Aiming to train one million individuals in digital skills, networking, cybersecurity, and AI by 2027.
Sahabat-AI: Indonesia’s native large language model (LLM)
A key component of the project is Sahabat-AI, a collection of large language models developed in Bahasa Indonesia, the country’s official language. These models are already being applied in areas such as public health, urban mobility, and government services.
In collaboration with Hippocratic AI, the government is testing a virtual health agent that, for example, alerts women over 50 about the importance of mammograms, improving breast cancer prevention. Additionally, the Sahabat-AI conversational assistant helps answer natural language questions about topics like updating national ID cards, taxes, and deductions, bringing administrative services closer to citizens.
A push for digital independence amid global tensions
Indonesia’s strategy has an increasingly geopolitical component. At a time when nations like the US, China, and the European Union compete for dominance in AI and semiconductor control, initiatives like this show that emerging countries can set their own rules of the game.
The AI center responds not only to technological needs but also to a long-term vision to ensure Indonesian data is processed domestically, that algorithms reflect cultural values, and that the benefits of digital transformation reach all social strata.
Next steps: AI-RAN and smart networks
The deployment extends beyond the excellence center. IOH and NVIDIA are already developing AI-RAN (artificial intelligence in radio access networks) technologies that will optimize mobile network performance and extend AI-based services even to remote regions of the archipelago.
Furthermore, a government-led expert forum is being formed to establish an ethical and responsible regulatory framework guiding AI development in line with Indonesian values.
A model for other emerging countries
Indonesia’s experience paves the way for nations seeking genuine technological sovereignty without forgoing international cooperation. By partnering with giants like NVIDIA and Cisco but leading through public initiatives and local talent development, Indonesia proves that digital independence is not a utopian ideal but a viable and essential strategy in the AI era.
This movement will have implications beyond its borders and can serve as a blueprint for Latin America, Africa, and other regions aiming to transition from mere consumers to producers and owners of their digital destiny.
via: https://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/indonesia-ai-center-of-excellence/