Indonesia to save $243.5 billion in business operations with generative AI, finds new report

Access Partnership’s report, which was supported by Microsoft, also highlights how enterprises need to improve access to AI, risk management and opportunities for innovation

Alice Chambers | 31 October 2023

Generative artificial intelligence has the potential to save $243.5 billion in production capacity across Indonesia, according to Access Partnership’s The Economic Impact of Generative AI: The Future of Work in Indonesia report.

“The new generation of AI, which is generative AI, helps us to interact with data in new ways,” said Dharma Simorangkir, president director of Microsoft Indonesia. “From summarising text and detecting anomalies to recognising image, its natural language interface allows us to interact with this technology using everyday language, and its ability as a reasoning engine helps us identify patterns and draw insights much faster.”

The Microsoft-funded report also detailed three aspects that require attention, including improving access to and use of AI, managing its risk and encouraging further innovation. According to Microsoft Indonesia, AI needs to continue to be democratised so that new skills can be mastered such as prompting, analytical evaluation and problem solving.

To manage risk, Microsoft will continue to raise awareness of responsible AI usage such as through its Responsible AI Impact Assessment report.

“In a democratic society, one of our fundamental principles is that no one is immune to the law,” said Ajar Edi, director of government affairs at Microsoft Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam. “That’s why we feel it’s appropriate for regulators and policymakers to increase oversight and consider new laws and regulations. We will continue to actively participate by sharing our experiences and insights on responsible AI practices.”

Meanwhile, Microsoft will collaborate with the government and private sector to protect and encourage innovation through the use of AI. It will also drive innovation through its AI Customer Commitments, including the Copilot Copyright Commitment.

“AI can help people focus on essential elements of their tasks, not replace them,” said Simorangkir. “Because, after all, AI can only work with data provided by humans, and is developed to improve human competence.”