Why Indonesia Courts China For AI Collaboration and How to Make the Most of It

Indonesian Minister of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi met with China's Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology Shan Zhongde at Switzerland’s Geneva International Convention Center, 27 May 2024. Photo: Kominfo

Earlier this year, the Indonesian government declared its intention to bolster collaboration with China in advancing its national artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem. Nezar Patria, Deputy Minister of Kominfo, said that working together with many countries on the national AI ecosystem “will strengthen Indonesia’s position in free and active politics.”

Then, in May, at Switzerland’s Geneva International Convention Center, Indonesian Minister of Communications and Information Technology (Kominfo) Budi Arie Setiadi met with China’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Information Technology Shan Zhongde, inviting China to invest in Indonesia’s AI. Budi Arie plans to court China again this month, flying to Shanghai to deepen digital cooperation between the two countries.

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by Muhammad Zulfikar Rakhmat

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