As an economic and political alliance now comprising 11 members, BRICS offers strategic momentum to harness artificial intelligence (AI) as a catalyst for economic growth and reducing global inequalities. With collective economic growth reaching approximately 40% of the world’s GDP, BRICS presents an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global economy.
As one of the new BRICS partners alongside Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Thailand, Cuba, Malaysia, Uganda, and Uzbekistan starting January 1, 2025, Indonesia has immense potential to leverage this network to accelerate the implementation of its national AI strategy. Initially formed by five core countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—BRICS envisioned strengthening economic and geopolitical cooperation among developing nations. With the addition of six new members in 2024 (Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates), BRICS further establishes itself as a major economic and geopolitical force focused on empowering the Global South.
In this context, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid emphasized five priorities in Indonesia’s national AI strategy: healthcare services, bureaucratic reform, talent education, smart city development, and food security. These priorities align with BRICS’ goals of fostering inclusive development, providing Indonesia with opportunities to learn from and collaborate with BRICS members in achieving sustainable technological transformation.
AI serves as a key driver of future economic growth due to its ability to accelerate innovation, enhance efficiency, and add value across sectors. Moreover, the development and mastery of AI pertain to national sovereignty, ensuring that adopted technologies align with the nation’s values and can be optimally utilized for its benefit. Furthermore, engagement with BRICS is crucial to balancing the dominance of Western AI technologies, providing Indonesia with strategic alternative access to safeguard its national interests. This is particularly relevant amidst the ongoing AI technology race between China and the United States, especially in the semiconductor sector, which forms the foundation of AI development. Simultaneously, Indonesia is advancing toward OECD membership, adding a strategic dimension to its efforts to strengthen technology governance and attract high-quality investments. In this context, Indonesia’s partnership with BRICS offers a strategic momentum to bolster its position amidst global competition.
Strategic Collaboration Opportunities
Strengthening AI Infrastructure
Indonesia can leverage China’s experience in building large-scale data centers and developing 5G technology to support AI. However, according to data from the Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi), 5G network coverage in Indonesia only reaches 2.9% of total residential areas, compared to 98.51% for 2G, 5.73% for 3G, and 97.16% for 4G. Yet, 5G is crucial for innovation and AI development, particularly to support fast and stable connectivity in strategic sectors such as healthcare, education, and agriculture. Beyond 5G, other infrastructure developments like the Internet of Things (IoT) are also priorities to accelerate automation in agriculture and manufacturing. Decentralized data centers can enhance local data processing efficiency, while cloud computing and edge computing offer flexibility for various AI applications. Countries like China, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have significant potential as investors in Indonesia’s AI infrastructure sector, given their strong commitment to digital technology development. Additionally, investments from BRICS nations can be directed toward accelerating digital infrastructure development, particularly in underserved areas, to directly benefit communities.
Ecosystem for Research and Innovation
Cross-national research collaborations, such as with institutions in India—a global technology hub—can accelerate AI technology development in Indonesia. This collaboration allows Indonesia to utilize cutting-edge technology to address domestic challenges like poverty alleviation, improving digital literacy, and accelerating development in underprivileged regions. In the Global South context, one of BRICS’ strengths lies in its commitment to empowering developing countries. These nations face unique challenges compared to developed countries, requiring AI technologies that amplify human resource competencies, expedite reskilling processes effectively, and make them accessible to all. The primary focus of research and innovation should also include AI development for poverty alleviation and enhancing digital and AI literacy, especially for populations with low education levels.
Enhancing Human Resource Capacity
Collaborations with universities and training institutions within BRICS can introduce exchange programs and AI skill certifications for Indonesian workers. By learning from South Africa, Indonesia can adopt inclusive and relevant AI education models for younger generations. China, which has the world’s largest vocational education system with over 10,000 schools and colleges and 30 million students, serves as an inspiring model. Annually, this system produces about 10 million high-quality technical workers, providing strong support for economic and social development while boosting national competitiveness. Additionally, vocational universities in China, totaling 51 institutions, offer a three-dimensional talent training system that integrates vocational and general education, providing diverse success pathways. This approach can inspire Indonesia to accelerate the development of AI-based competencies ready for global competition.
AI Applications in Priority Sectors
Brazil’s experience using AI to enhance agricultural efficiency can be adapted to bolster Indonesia’s food security. Challenges in Indonesia’s agricultural sector include low productivity due to limited land and predominantly small-scale farmers, as well as inefficient supply chains. AI technologies can address these issues through distribution optimization, more accurate yield predictions, and improved land management. In healthcare, Indonesia faces challenges such as an imbalance between the number of doctors and the population, as well as uneven distribution. Hospital facilities are also concentrated in major cities, leaving many remote areas on scattered islands underserved. India and China offer examples of how AI-based healthcare technology can expand access to medical services at lower costs while reaching wider communities. Such technologies are highly relevant for Indonesia to address healthcare disparities nationwide.
AI Governance and Regulations
Harmonizing AI policies with BRICS nations can enhance transparent and ethical governance. For instance, Russia’s AI regulatory standards are relevant to Indonesia as they emphasize data sovereignty, cybersecurity protection, and technology certification tailored to strategic national needs. This approach differs from regulations in developed countries like the European Union (EU) and the United States (US), which focus more on consumer data protection and competition in the technology market. While EU regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), prioritize individual privacy, and US policies emphasize market-driven innovation, Russia’s approach is more applicable to developing nations like Indonesia due to its focus on sovereignty and strategic national needs. Nevertheless, Indonesia must develop its own AI regulations tailored to its specific needs and characteristics. This requires a comprehensive approach that considers social, economic, and political contexts to ensure that the regulations support innovation, protect privacy, and empower society.
Indonesia’s Role on the Global Stage
As a new member, Indonesia can lead strategic discussions within BRICS regarding AI utilization for sustainable development. With six new members in 2024, BRICS now encompasses over 46% of the world’s population and approximately 40% of global GDP, solidifying its position as a major economic power. By leveraging AI to achieve Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, Indonesia can strengthen its role as an advocate for inclusive and sustainable AI development, particularly in the Global South. This position is also vital to tapping into the vast consumer market potential and fostering closer economic cooperation within BRICS.
Conclusion
The BRICS network provides a strategic platform for Indonesia to accelerate the implementation of its national AI strategy. With the economic scale, demographics, and geopolitical commitments of BRICS, Indonesia has the opportunity to become a key player in technological transformation that not only strengthens national competitiveness but also supports inclusive development for society. This aligns with President Prabowo’s vision for Indonesia to play a significant role on the global stage by maintaining good relations with all global alliances. By leveraging collaboration opportunities in infrastructure, research, human resources, and governance, Indonesia can realize its vision while solidifying its position as a technology leader in the region and the world. Strategic partnerships will ensure that AI becomes not only an economic advancement tool but also a means for inclusive and sustainable development.