Indonesia has launched Sahabat-AI, a sovereign AI initiative, in collaboration with NVIDIA and other partners, aimed at serving its 277 million Indonesian speakers. The project emphasizes digital sovereignty and inclusivity.
The initiative, rooted in a public-private partnership, was unveiled in Jakarta with key figures including NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang and Indonesia's Minister for State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir.
Sahabat-AI features open-source Indonesian large language models developed using NVIDIA's NeMo and NIM microservices, made available to local industries, government, and educational institutions.
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) is leading the project with its GPU Merdeka cloud service, operating from a renewable energy-powered AI data center. This service aims to enhance sectors like energy, finance, and healthcare.
Through partnerships with companies like Accenture and Tech Mahindra, IOH is developing applications specific to various industries, ensuring data governance and operational efficiency.
Tech Mahindra is also creating AI chatbot services in Bahasa Indonesian to assist with government procedures. Healthcare AI company Hippocratic AI is using Sahabat-AI models for digital agents that improve patient interactions.
Looking ahead, Lintasarta plans to expand its AI infrastructure with advanced NVIDIA technologies, aligning with Indonesia's Golden Indonesia 2045 vision for a digitally empowered future.
NVIDIA's technologies are also supporting similar sovereign AI initiatives in countries like India, Japan, and Taiwan, showcasing a global trend in AI development.