Jokowi Discusses Huge Investments in AI with Microsoft CEO

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi received a working visit from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 30. Jokowi and Nadella discussed Microsoft's plan to make large investments in Indonesia in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Accompanying President Jokowi during his meeting with Nadella, Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi revealed that Microsoft has committed to making substantial investments in the fields of AI and cloud computing over the next four years. Additionally, they will provide AI training for a staggering 840,000 individuals and offer support to the thriving developer community in Indonesia. One noteworthy initiative is the AI Odyssey program, which aims to engage 10,000 developers who possess Microsoft credentials.

"Through the integration technology and Indonesia's strength, we believe we can become a developed nation," Budi Arie said in a statement at the Palace.

Budi Arie hesitated to give an exact figure on the value of the investment Microsoft had agreed with the government. However, he said it was Microsoft's largest single investment in its 29-year operating history in Indonesia.

Meanwhile, Nadella did not issue any statement after the meeting with Jokowi, which lasted about half an hour. He will make the announcement today at the Microsoft Build: AI Day event at the Jakarta Convention Center.

Microsoft's investment plan in Indonesia began with the company signing a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Communications and Information and Microsoft in early March this year. In the MoU, Microsoft pledged to support human resource development in the digital sector and strengthen government infrastructure and digitization.

Previously, Budi Arie said that Microsoft will bring investment to Indonesia of Rp14 trillion. However, he said in a statement at the palace today that the value of the investment would be higher. "It will be announced later at the JCC. But it's absolutely huge," he said.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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