In 2024, Center for Digital Society (CfDS), in partnership with Google Indonesia and KORIKA, launched the AI Policy & Skilling Lab. As the first program of its kind in Southeast Asia, it focuses on equipping Indonesian policymakers with the knowledge and skills to adopt and regulate artificial intelligence (AI) effectively.

The program brought together over 250 government officials from various ministries and agencies across the country. The curriculum, developed collaboratively by Google, KORIKA, and CfDS, covered foundational AI concepts, case studies, and the potential of generative AI. Its goals included boosting productivity, fostering innovation, and ensuring the responsible use of AI in Indonesia.

During the sessions, several key challenges were identified, including the lack of specific AI regulations, uneven infrastructure and talent distribution, and gaps in data management policies. Participants also discussed recommendations for future regulations to support AI adoption across sectors.

The program made a significant impact by enhancing participants’ understanding of AI and its applications in their respective fields. It also created a platform for diverse policymakers to share insights and collaborate on solutions. With its interactive and inclusive approach, the initiative marks an important step toward building a more AI-ready Indonesia.

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• Indonesia

Yes, this project is replicable. The AI Policy & Skilling Lab can be adapted in other countries or regions, especially those in the early stages of AI adoption and regulation. In fact, it has already been implemented in Thailand and Malaysia under a similar name and concept. The program’s structure—combining capacity-building sessions, interactive discussions, and tailored curricula—makes it flexible and scalable to different contexts.

Replication requires collaboration between key stakeholders: global technology leaders for expertise and resources, local academic institutions for contextualized research and training, and government agencies for policymaker engagement. The program’s success depends on designing a curriculum that addresses region-specific challenges, such as infrastructure gaps, regulatory needs, and workforce readiness.

In fact, this initiative has already been replicated and piloted in Malaysia. A similar program, developed through a collaboration between NAIO and Google, established an “AI Policy and Skilling Lab” in Malaysia. This highlights the project’s adaptability and relevance for other developing nations, particularly in Southeast Asia.

By tailoring the content to local contexts and building cross-sector collaboration, the initiative can support responsible AI adoption while driving innovation and economic growth. Its inclusive approach ensures broad participation, making it an impactful model for regions seeking to become more AI-ready.

Yes, this project is sustainable. The AI Policy & Skilling Lab has a foundation for long-term impact due to its focus on capacity building, collaboration, and continuous knowledge sharing. The involvement of key stakeholders like Google, KORIKA, and CfDS create a program that combines both global expertise and local insights, resulting in a sustainable knowledge ecosystem for AI adoption in Indonesia and beyond.

The project builds a network of policymakers, academics, and industry leaders that enables the ongoing exchange of best practices, research, and policy recommendations. This creates a ripple effect, where participants can take the knowledge gained and apply it to their respective sectors.

Additionally, the curriculum is designed to be adaptable, meaning it can be updated as AI technology evolves and as new challenges emerge. This flexibility makes the program remain relevant and responsive to future needs. The replicability of the model, demonstrated by its adoption in Malaysia, further indicates its sustainability, as it can be expanded and tailored to other countries or regions facing similar challenges in AI adoption and regulation.

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly transforms societies, ensuring that policies are responsive, inclusive, and reflecting societal needs has never been more critical. AI Policy and Skilling Lab recognizes that governments play a vital role in shaping AI policies that drive not only digital transformation but also advancements across many sectors. We also acknowledge that AI is a prospective enabler of growth and productivity, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). For this reason, we have designated economic opportunity—along with other themes including education, health, cybersecurity, and disaster preparedness— as one of the core themes of the initiative, emphasizing the importance of AI in fostering digital economy acceleration. Given that AI governance is still in its nascent phase, Indonesia lacks comprehensive regulations and sufficient government competency in this field. Therefore, it is imperative to equip government officials with the necessary knowledge and expertise to effectively regulate AI and ensure its responsible implementation. This vision that the AI Policy and Skilling Lab aims to bring to life, aligns with the WSIS values. The project empowers the government to make informed decisions, ensuring AI is harnessed for public good. Through collaboration, CfDS UGM, Google Indonesia, and KORIKA also support the multi-stakeholder approach promoted by WSIS by fostering inclusivity through the integration of diverse expertise and perspectives, including those of academics, industry professionals, government officials, and civil society. By enhancing AI literacy among policymakers, AI Policy and Skilling Lab advances WSIS’s vision of Information and Communication Technology-enabled good governance, ensuring technology serves society effectively. Through strengthened multi-stakeholder collaboration and improved government capacity, the program contributes to building a resilient and inclusive digital future.