Indonesia plans to use artificial intelligence (AI) in major government programmes, including its $15 billion free meals programme, according to a draft regulation reported by Reuters. The plan is part of a national strategy to improve public services and support economic growth. The government believes AI could increase Indonesia’s GDP by up to 12% by 2030, equal to about $366 billion.
The draft states that government ministries and regional offices will begin using AI between 2026 and 2029. The goal is to make government work faster, cheaper, and more efficiently, especially in key programmes led by the president. One of the main uses of AI will be in the free meals programme. Under the draft proposal, AI could be used to help design menus based on local needs, predict food quantities, monitor kitchen hygiene, and detect issues or misuse. It could also connect with health data to warn about emergencies early.
Artificial Intelligence will also be utilised in public health, such as health screenings and tuberculosis testing. The draft includes plans for a “sovereign AI fund,” which would be managed mainly by Indonesia’s state wealth fund, Danantara Indonesia. The government will offer incentives to attract AI researchers and improve local skills.
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Technology companies like Meta, IBM, and Microsoft reportedly contributed ideas to the plan. Microsoft has already announced a $1.7 billion investment in Indonesia’s cloud and AI sector. However, experts say Indonesia still lacks strong infrastructure and skilled workers to become a leading AI developer. Due to this, the country may initially rely on international AI technologies while continuing to develop domestic capabilities and talent.
