Critical minerals vital for digital diplomacy in AI race: Nezar

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria asserted that Indonesia must leverage its critical mineral resources as a strategic instrument for digital diplomacy, positioning the nation as a major player in the global AI race rather than a passive consumer.

Speaking at the Jakarta Geopolitical Forum in South Jakarta on Thursday (July 9), he outlined a strategic vision to weaponize the nation's raw material dominance to secure high-tech concessions from global tech superpowers, amidst the tightening rivalry between the US and China.

"Indonesia needs to use critical minerals to negotiate better access to computing, technology transfer, and manufacturing partnerships," Patria stated, according to an official ministry release confirmed on Friday.

"Indonesia needs to use critical minerals to negotiate better access to computing, technology transfer, and manufacturing partnerships," Nezar said in his statement.

The deputy minister highlighted that Indonesia possesses the world's largest nickel reserves, positioning the country as a vital hub in the global battery production supply chain.

"We are also the world's second-largest producer of cobalt, a key material for high-performance batteries and advanced semiconductors," he stated.

"Furthermore, we are the third-largest exporter of copper ore, a mineral essential for the wiring and cooling systems of data centers that host AI infrastructure," Nezar added.

According to him, this vast resource wealth should enable Indonesia to become a key stakeholder in the global artificial intelligence ecosystem, rather than functioning merely as a consumer.

Amidst the ongoing technological rivalry between the US and China, he argued that Indonesia must carve out its own strategic path through proactive digital diplomacy.

Nezar noted that given its critical minerals, vast digital market, demographic bonus, computing capacity, and growing digital talent, the nation should reject being treated as a mere market or supplier of raw materials.

Furthermore, he assessed that a nation's technological superiority is no longer solely determined by who invents a technology first, but by its capacity to develop localized talent, computing power, databases, and industries.

The push forms part of a broader, cross-government strategy aimed at elevating Indonesia into a high-tech superpower by its centenary milestone, Indonesia Emas (Golden Indonesia) 2045.

To achieve this, the ministry is prioritizing strict data sovereignty laws, expanding computing capacities, and investing heavily in domestic semiconductor engineering talent.

"Digital power is at the end not just about technology. It is about political will, the willingness to maintain a cross-government strategy, to build institutions incrementally, and to determine Indonesia's new geopolitical future," Nezar concluded.

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Translator: Farhan Arda Nugraha, Yashinta Difa

Editor: Azis Kurmala

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