On November 23, 2024, Lintasarta, a key player in the Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison Group, officially launched its AI Merdeka initiative as part of its broader mission to position Indonesia as a global leader in digital innovation. This strategic move aims to harness artificial intelligence (AI) technology to accelerate Indonesia's digital transformation, ultimately supporting the nation’s ambition for a "Golden Indonesia" by 2045.

Bayu Hanantasena, President Director, and CEO of Lintasarta, shared during the press conference that AI Merdeka is not only a technology-driven initiative but also a powerful movement aimed at developing the nation's digital talent. The program focuses on cultivating AI expertise to create innovative solutions that will drive Indonesia’s digital potential forward. The overarching goal of AI Merdeka is to empower Indonesia’s digital ecosystem, ensuring that the country can effectively leverage AI to solve complex challenges and remain competitive on the global stage.

AI Merdeka is the result of a collaboration between Lintasarta, Indosat Ooredoo, and various ecosystem partners, with two core programs aimed at supporting the nation’s AI ambitions. The first program, Laskar AI, is a scholarship initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of AI professionals. Through comprehensive training in machine learning and data science, Laskar AI will equip developers with the skills to create AI-driven solutions that address real-world problems. Lintasarta is partnering with Dicoding, a leading Indonesian tech education platform, to offer world-class training that ensures these talents are not only competitive locally but also globally.

The second program, Semesta AI, provides a platform for startups and Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to develop AI-based solutions for various industries. By providing these organizations with the tools, resources, and support they need, Lintasarta aims to accelerate the development of AI-powered applications that can address the diverse needs of sectors like healthcare, education, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Vikram Sinha, President Director & CEO of Indosat Ooredoo, emphasized that AI Merdeka represents a significant milestone for Indonesia’s digital sovereignty. With Lintasarta as the AI Factory and the support of advanced technology from ecosystem partners, the initiative is poised to create vast opportunities for innovation and sustainable AI ecosystem development. Through AI Merdeka, Indonesia’s academic institutions, researchers, developers, and startups will be provided with essential resources like GPU credits to help them accelerate their AI research and solution development.

The launch of AI Merdeka underscores Indonesia’s ambition to become a global AI leader by investing in its digital talent and promoting innovation across its industries. As the AI landscape continues to evolve, initiatives like AI Merdeka are vital in shaping the future of Indonesia’s technology-driven economy, empowering businesses and individuals to harness the power of AI for long-term growth.

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