GoTo’s 27B model speaks Batak, but the real test is who can afford to run it
For most of the generative AI boom, someone in North Sumatra typing a question in Batak Toba has been talking to a machine that, at best, half understands them. GoTo Group says it wants to change that. But the hard part is only beginning. Indonesia’s largest digital ecosystem on Monday released a 27-billion-parameter language model […] The post GoTo’s 27B model speaks Batak, but the real test is…
GoTo Group, Indonesia's largest digital ecosystem, recently unveiled a 27-billion-parameter language model capable of understanding Batak Toba, Bahasa Indonesia, Javanese, Sundanese, and Balinese. The model, built on Google's Gemma 3 architecture, includes a 128,000-token context window, allowing it to handle lengthy text in one go.
GoTo and AI Singapore are named as the model's developers, though the latter's open-source license comes with Google's restrictions. While the release is seen as a step towards reducing dependence on foreign platforms, the model's deployment requirements are beyond the reach of most smaller organizations, likely requiring cloud infrastructure or specialized servers.
GoTo's move comes as part of a broader regional push to localize AI, but it remains to be seen if the model can compete with established regional players and global giants.
Written by urgent.news from e27's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
