Indonesia Launches Sahabat-AI Initiative: A Leap Towards Digital Sovereignty

• Launch of Sahabat-AI:
  • Announced during Indonesia AI Day, Sahabat-AI introduces a collection of open-source Indonesian large language models (LLMs).
  • These models, built using NVIDIA NeMo and NIM microservices, support generative AI applications in Bahasa Indonesian and local dialects.
  • Designed to empower local industries, government agencies, and research institutions.
• Collaboration Highlights:
  • NVIDIA Founder Jensen Huang and Indonesian Minister Erick Thohir inaugurated the project alongside leaders from Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH), GoTo, and others.
  • The project embodies Indonesia’s cultural ethos of “gotong royong” (mutual assistance).
• Technological Foundations:
  • IOH’s GPU Merdeka AI cloud, powered by NVIDIA, is the backbone of the initiative.
  • Developed in three months, it supports AI applications in finance, healthcare, energy, and more, leveraging NVIDIA’s high-performance computing and AI Enterprise software.
• Key Partnerships:
  • Accenture: Collaborates with IOH on financial services solutions, leveraging the NVIDIA AI Enterprise platform.
  • Tech Mahindra: Helps deploy Sahabat-AI-powered chatbots for citizen services, including ID updates and tax inquiries.
  • Hippocratic AI: Develops healthcare AI agents that improve patient engagement while ensuring data security and low-latency processing.
  • GoTo: Integrates Sahabat-AI with its AI voice assistant, Dira, to enhance user experience in on-demand and financial services.
• Impact on Healthcare:
  • AI-driven agents enhance productivity by handling administrative tasks, freeing up medical staff for critical care.
  • Hippocratic AI uses Sahabat-AI to develop empathy-driven conversational models, improving patient trust and accessibility.
• Sustainability and Expansion Goals:
  • Lintasarta’s AI cloud uses renewable energy, aligning with Indonesia’s Golden Indonesia 2045 vision for sustainable development.
  • Plans are in place to expand capabilities with the latest NVIDIA technologies.
• Global Context:
  • Similar sovereign AI initiatives by NVIDIA are underway in India, Japan, and Taiwan, supporting local languages and cultures.

Why This Matters

Indonesia’s Sahabat-AI initiative marks a significant step toward digital independence, empowering local communities and industries with AI technology tailored to their unique needs. By leveraging NVIDIA’s advanced platforms and fostering partnerships with global and local players, the country is positioning itself as a leader in sustainable and inclusive AI innovation. This initiative supports economic growth, enhances public services, and aligns with broader global trends toward AI sovereignty.