He emphasized the importance of building a human resource ecosystem that understands and masters cutting-edge technologies, in line with the expansion of the nation’s digital connectivity network.
“We must achieve meaningful connectivity — connectivity that matters — and that can only be realized through the presence of high-quality digital talent. Innovation in the digital space can only be strengthened by capable digital professionals,” he said in a statement issued in Jakarta on Friday.
He pointed to China as an example, noting how the country once faced restrictions on high-end technology, such as a US ban on advanced graphics processing units (GPUs), yet it managed to develop competitive local AI platforms like DeepSeek.
He said he believes this holds a crucial lesson for Indonesia.
“China, for example, experienced a kind of ‘Sputnik moment’ when AlphaGo defeated a Go grandmaster. Since then, they’ve allocated nearly 70 percent of their research and innovation budget to the AI sector,” he pointed out.
To become a digitally sovereign nation, Patria argued, Indonesia must not just be a consumer of technology, but begin producing its own knowledge and innovation.
“Digital talent is not just a resource — it is a strategic asset. If we fail to cultivate our own digital talent, we will be nothing more than spectators in the global digital economy,” he stressed.
He called on all stakeholders not to work in silos when addressing these challenges and underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration.
“Digital transformation cannot be carried out by the government alone. It requires collaborative work across sectors — a spirit of mutual cooperation. Government, industry, research institutions, and the public must move forward together,” he said.
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Translator: Farhan, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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