Indonesia Joins WAICO as Founder to Shape Global AI Governance
- 19 Jul 2026 13:09 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Key Points
- Indonesia has officially become a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), giving the country a direct role in shaping global AI governance.
- As a founding member, Indonesia will have early access to discussions and policymaking on global artificial intelligence development.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia has officially become a founding member of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), opening the door for direct involvement in shaping global AI governance.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, said Indonesia’s participation as a founder follows President Prabowo Subianto’s directive. “As a founder we naturally have first access to all discussions on AI developments,” he said on Friday, 17 July 2026.
Minister Airlangga said Indonesia aims to keep pace with a technology expected to drive global economic growth, noting that AI will be a strategic force affecting national competitiveness. “Indonesia cares about inclusive, safe, ethical AI that is not monopolized by certain powers,” he added.
Accordingly, the government supports establishing AI governance that is open to all countries. He explained WAICO’s formation remains within the United Nations framework, where the world body expects AI development to follow principles that are inclusive, safe, trustworthy and human-centered.
Coordinating Minister Airlangga also said AI should help narrow technological gaps between countries. “AI is expected to be a bridge, not a digital divide, but a bridge toward togetherness,” he said.
He added that digital technology will be a key engine of national economic growth. Indonesia’s digital economy is currently estimated at USD 130 billion and is projected to rise to USD 366 billion by 2030.
Implementation of the ASEAN Digital Economic Framework Agreement (DEFA) could potentially boost Indonesia’s digital economy further, toward USD 600 billion.
“The potential of Indonesia’s digital economy is about USD 130 billion now, possibly USD 366 billion by 2030, and it may even reach USD 400–600 billion,” he said.
Coordinating Minister Airlangga signed Indonesia’s support for WAICO on the sidelines of the World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) 2026 in Shanghai, China. All signatory countries will be registered as founding members and members of the international organization. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)
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