Indonesia, Japan expand AI talent partnership through JICA project

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Japan have expanded cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI) talent development through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) aimed at strengthening digital skills, protecting children online, combating disinformation, and supporting national development priorities.

The partnership was formalised through the signing of a Record of Discussions for the Next Generation AI Talent Factory Technical Cooperation Project at the Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs here in Jakarta on Monday.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria said the initiative would strengthen Indonesia's AI workforce while deepening digital cooperation between Indonesia and Japan.

"The cooperation we are undertaking today reflects the strong friendship and strategic partnership between Indonesia and Japan, particularly in preparing our societies to thrive in the digital era," Patria said.

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He said both countries share a common view on the importance of developing sovereign AI that delivers tangible benefits to society.

Amid rapid advances in AI technology and shifting geopolitical dynamics, Indonesia and Japan view collaboration as a key foundation for strengthening national capabilities and accelerating innovation.

"We want a more equal partnership. I think this is a very good collaboration that we are working to strengthen between Japan and Indonesia to explore and develop the highly strategic AI technology," Patria explained.

AI has become a critical factor in determining economic competitiveness and a nation's future, making investment in human capital a top priority.

"To realise this opportunity, we must invest in the most important thing, our human resources," he added.

Under the project, the ministry and JICA will strengthen AI talent development through capacity-building initiatives, knowledge exchanges, institutional collaboration, and innovation programmes tailored to the national needs.

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Head of the Human Resources Development Agency at the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs Bonifasius Wahyu Pudjianto said the AI Talent Factory was designed as a collaborative ecosystem linking to the government institutions, universities, industry players, technology experts, and AI professionals.

Pudjianto said AI talent development requires practical experience that enables participants to transform knowledge into solutions with real-world impact.

"AI talent development requires more than classroom learning. It should be much broader than that," he said.

Since its launching in 2025, the AI Talent Factory programme has produced a range of AI-based solutions supporting national development priorities.

In 2026, the programme has been expanded through partnerships with Brawijaya University, Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology, and Gadjah Mada University, including 98 participants.

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The participants developed AI applications supporting child protection in digital spaces, combating disinformation, defamation, and hate speech, strengthening the government's programme of Sekolah Rakyat for disadvantaged communities, mapping poverty and social assistance distribution, as well as monitoring issues across public and social media platforms.

The solutions conducted AI technology to support data-driven decision-making, improve learning quality, strengthen child protection, enhance the targeting of social assistance programs, and support more effective public communication strategies.

Pudjianto added the agreement with JICA marked the beginning of a new phase cooperation in strengthening Indonesia's national AI talent ecosystem.

"This is not the conclusion of the process, but actually the beginning of this chapter which will be supported by JICA," he noted.

Through the partnership, Indonesia and Japan aim to accelerate the development of globally competitive Indonesian AI talent capable of addressing national challenges, while strengthening the country's AI self-reliance through the safe, responsible, and people-centered use of technology.

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Translator: Farhan Arda Nugraha, Martha Herlinawati Simanjunta

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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