Jakarta (ANTARA) – Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) development in Indonesia must deliver tangible benefits for society, rather than focusing solely on technological sophistication.
Speaking at the 11th International Scholas Chairs Congress 2026 at Kura-Kura Bali on Friday, Hafid introduced the concept of “Meaningful AI” to address real-world community needs.
“Our shared goal is to develop Meaningful AI—AI that provides tangible benefits for society,” she said, adding that AI has moved rapidly from experimental stages into daily applications across health, education, and public services.
“The question is no longer simply what machines can do, but whether humans and institutions are ready to direct AI toward meaningful goals,” she added.
The minister outlined five core dimensions of Meaningful AI: driving workforce productivity, enhancing the public good, expanding digital inclusion, building national competitiveness, and strengthening resilience against cyber and climate threats.
Highlighting measurable impacts, Hafid noted that Internet of Things (IoT) technologies in agriculture have cut fertilizer usage by more than 40 percent, while digital tools in fisheries have boosted production by over 40 percent.
Furthermore, the ministry has trained 150 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Wonogiri and Banyuwangi to utilize AI for business planning, branding, and digital marketing.
To ensure safe implementation, the government is preparing the 2026-2029 National AI Roadmap alongside risk-based AI ethics regulations prioritizing data protection, transparency, and human safety.
“The future of AI is not only determined by algorithms, computing capacity, or the amount of investment. The future of AI is also determined by the values we uphold, the choices we make, and the responsibilities we assume,” Hafid concluded.
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Translator: Farhan Arda Nugraha, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Arie Novarina
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