Indonesia joins WAICO as founding member to boost AI development

Shanghai (ANTARA) - Indonesia joined the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) as a founding member to accelerate domestic artificial intelligence development, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said on Friday.

Hartarto said joining the China-initiated intergovernmental organization would help Indonesia keep pace with rapid advances in AI while enabling the country to contribute to international AI governance.

"The benefit of joining WAICO is to ensure Indonesia does not fall behind in AI development," Hartarto said at a press conference in Shanghai after attending the organization's founding ceremony and the opening of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026.

The press conference was also attended by Communication and Digital Affairs Deputy Minister Angga Raka Prabowo and Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Djauhari Oratmangun.

"Through this platform, Indonesia is committed to playing an active role in bridging the global technology gap. AI should become a bridge for cooperation, not a tool for division. WAICO will also help ensure AI is managed in a safe, trustworthy, and ethical manner," he said.

Hartarto said Indonesia joined WAICO under President Prabowo Subianto's directive for the country to play an active role in international AI governance.

"Indonesia is deeply committed to AI development that is inclusive, safe, ethical, not monopolized by any single power, and beneficial to the country," he said.

He said WAICO was established within the framework of the United Nations and would help Indonesia align its AI development with global technological progress while supporting the growth of the country's digital economy.

"As a founding member, Indonesia has a golden opportunity to make meaningful contributions to shaping global AI governance and WAICO's institutional development while ensuring AI remains human-centric and supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals," Hartarto said.

He also cited Chinese President Xi Jinping's remarks at the opening of WAIC, saying AI development should not be "a solo performance" by one country but rather "a symphony of global collaboration," highlighting the need for international cooperation instead of technological dominance.

Indonesia was among 29 countries that signed the agreement establishing WAICO. The other founding signatories are Algeria, Belarus, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, China, Congo, Cuba, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Russia, Senegal, Serbia, South Africa, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, and cavities.

Hartarto said registration for countries seeking to become founding members of WAICO remains open until July 30.

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Translator: Desca Lidya Natalia, Martha Herlinawati Simanjunta

Editor: Arie Novarina

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