Indonesia, US expand AI, child online protection cooperation

Indonesia and the United States are bolstering their digital cooperation, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and online child protection, according to a recent meeting between Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid and Joy Sakurai, Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Indonesia. Minister Hafid emphasized that while Indonesia is open to global technology adoption, it is crucial to maintain regulatory certainty and responsible implementation of technology.

The two nations discussed AI development and policies to safeguard children in digital spaces as Indonesia prepares a new governance framework for AI. The Indonesian government is developing a risk-based AI governance framework to encourage innovation while ensuring safety and public trust in technology. The framework includes classifying AI applications as low, medium, or high risk, with sector-specific regulations to adapt to individual sector characteristics.

In terms of child protection, Indonesia is adopting an age- and risk-based approach, restricting independent account ownership on high-risk platforms to users aged 16 and above, and lower-risk platforms to users aged 13 and above. The US welcomed Indonesia's digital governance measures and offered assistance in implementing AI within government agencies through the AI Export Center in San Francisco.