Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairperson of the National Economic Council (DEN), Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said that artificial intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to improve public services and empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

“There is an ongoing dialectic regarding the development of AI. Some may see it as a threat. However, I see AI as a great opportunity to enhance public services, accelerate industrial transformation, and empower MSMEs in Indonesia,” he added in an Instagram post on Tuesday.

According to Pandjaitan, Indonesia needs to strengthen its capacity in the AI sector by developing solutions that align with local characteristics and needs, such as the AI Center at Institut Teknologi Del (IT Del), which was built on the shores of Lake Toba in North Sumatra.

The research center, which collaborates with global partners, has become one of the largest AI education institutions in Indonesia.

“Young people there are working on developing the 'GASING' (easy, fun, and enjoyable) mathematical model, AI for tourism, public services, and even (conducting) research into Indonesia’s traditional herbal genetics,” he informed.

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He further highlighted that Indonesia has a productive-age population of 190 million. With such a large demographic potential, he said, the country must not remain a mere spectator in the global technological revolution.

“We need a national AI road map that addresses education, healthcare, agriculture, and public services, backed by serious investment in research, talent, and digital infrastructure,” he emphasized.

However, he added, this grand vision can only be realized through integrated collaboration among the government, businesses, academia, and society.

“Only through synergy can we ensure Indonesia becomes a driver of direction, not merely a follower in this new era of technological civilization,” he said.

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Translator: Imamatul Silfia, Kuntum Khaira Riswan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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