Indonesia has been recognized by the United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) as an epicenter in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the ASEAN region.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Nezar Patria made the statement after meeting with UNSG Deputy Secretary-General and Technology Envoy Amandeep Singh Gill.
“Indonesia is considered quite important by the UN that with 280 million people, it is fairly advanced in terms of AI technology development in the region. The potential is also quite large as an epicenter of emerging technology in the ASEAN region,” Deputy Minister Nezar Patria said in his official statement on Wednesday.
Nezar’s meeting with Amandeep took place at the Brdo Congress Center, Slovenia, Tuesday (6/2) local time in a series of Global AI Ethics Forums organized by UNESCO.
Furthermore, Nezar said the world’s recognition of Indonesia, especially in the field of technology, gave him a sense of pride.
According to him, the recognition was given because of Indonesia’s consistency in voicing the digital divide in the ASEAN region and globally.
“We propose to overcome the digital divide with consolidation. We suggest the Global South-South Conference on AI Governance so that the voices of Asia, Africa, and Latin America can be accommodated more comprehensively. Therefore, the special ambassador for technology from the UN views Indonesia as quite strategic and wants more active participation,” he explained.
Deputy Minister Nezar Patria emphasized that Indonesia’s involvement in the UNESCO Global Forum on AI Ethics in Slovenia is the right momentum.
Because this forum provides an opportunity for Indonesia to support the development of artificial intelligence to be equal between developed and developing countries to fulfill the vision of no one left behind.
He also emphasized that Indonesia sees the need for a common view in overcoming the digital divide in Global AI Governance.
“So to fulfill this aspect of inclusiveness, we also want a Global South-South dialog and Indonesia is ready to facilitate it if it is approved by the UN,” Nezar concluded.