UNESCO and KOMINFO Completed AI Readiness Assessment: Is Indonesia Ready for AI

Jakarta, Indonesia - In a significant step towards ethical Artificial Intelligence (AI) governance, UNESCO, in collaboration with Indonesia's Ministry of Communications and Informatics (KOMINFO) have completed the AI Readiness Assessment for Indonesia using UNESCO's Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM). This milestone marks Indonesia as the first country in Southeast Asia to complete the RAM exercise, while it is currently being implemented in more than 60 countries globally.

The Indonesia AI Readiness Assessment Reportwas developed with the support of a national expert team, and it aim to influence Indonesia's ongoing AI policy and regulatory frameworks. The report, now open for review by invited multi-sectoral stakeholder, serves as blueprint to foster an inclusive and responsible AI landscape in Indonesia.

The assessment was carried out through an inclusive process, engaging over 500 participants across five regions in Indonesia, from Aceh to Bali. Through policy consultations workshops diverse voices from government, academia, civil society, and the private sector contributed insights on how Indonesia can implement AI ethically and responsibly for all the citizens. The assessment evaluated the country's AI landscape across five dimensions: 1) legal/regulatory; 2) socio-cultural; 3) economy; 4) scientific and educational; and 5) technical/infrastructural.

As Indonesia moves forward on its AI journey, the report serves as both a roadmap and a call to action for all sectors to collaborate in shaping an ethical and inclusive AI ecosystem. The key findings and recommendations offer a comprehensive look at where Indonesia stands in its AI readiness and what steps need to be taken to ensure that AI benefits all citizens.

Key Findings: Indonesia's AI landscape

The report identified several crucial areas for Indonesia's AI readiness, including:

1. Economic and Socio-Cultural impact:Concerns about potential labor displacement emerged as a pressing issue. Regional differences emerged, with rural areas focused on the impact on jobs, while stakeholders from urban areas emphasized the need for responsible use of AI.

2. AI Associated risks:Despite Indonesia's diversity of ethnic groups, awareness of AI potential to reinforce bias and discrimination is relatively low, highlighting the need for increased public education.

3. Research Funding:Compared to neighboring countries, research in AI remains underfunded, presenting a critical gap in Indonesia's AI landscape.

Key Policy Recommendations:

The report outlines several key policy recommendations, particularly in the areas of:

1. Regulatory Set Up: UNESCO supports the development of regulations to ensure ethical and responsible AI governance, with adherence to global benchmarks and future regulations based on the circular letter remain comprehensive and up to date with global consensus.

2. Institutional Framework: Establish a National Agency for Artificial Intelligence to coordinate AI-related policies, set standards, and ensure cross-sector coherence. This entity should facilitate collaboration between government, private sector, academia, and civil society, guiding investment, and regulation in AI development.

3. Capacity-Building: Ensure equitable access to AI education, resources, and infrastructure, particularly for researchers and startups outside the capital.

About UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence:

With its unique mandate, UNESCO has led the international effort to ensure that science and technology develop with strong ethical guardrails for decades. UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligencewas launched and adopted by 194 member states in November 2021. The Recommendation is the first global standard setting instrument with applicable Policy Action Areas, which allow policymakers to translate the core values and principles into action with respect to data governance, environment and ecosystems, gender, education and research, and health and social wellbeing, among many other spheres.

About Readiness Assessment Methodology:

The Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM)includes a range of quantitative and qualitative questions designed to gather information about different dimensions related to a country's AI ecosystem, including the legal and regulatory, social, and cultural, economic, scientific, and educational, and technological and infrastructural dimensions. The RAMis currently implemented in 60 countries globally. The implementation of the RAM in Indonesia is supported by the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation via the project entitled "Harnessing the Power of AI to Promote Equal Opportunities in the Digital World."