Roundtable Discussions on the Politics of AI

Amidst rising tensions regarding the Artificial Intelligence (AI) competition between the US and China, many countries, including Indonesia, need to protect their position in AI geopolitics. Geopolitical competition, aggravated by the AI competition, impacted Indonesia’s development roadmap. Domestically, this contest has significantly increased the Indonesian AI talent gap, as Indonesia still lacks research funding and a proper research environment. This gap has led to AI talent migration to other countries, especially the US and China. This phenomenon is referred to as AI brain drain.

To stop AI brain drain from becoming more prevalent, strict but adequate regulations need to be made by the Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The regulations can’t be made solely by the ministry. Hence, leaders from vital industry, educational and research sectors, and other Indonesian ministries were invited to a roundtable discussion on 28th August 2024 in Hotel Borobudur, Jakarta. Among the invitees was Prof. Dr. Bens Pardamean, the head of BDSRC, representing BINUS University. He was accompanied by Matthew Martianus Henry, one of BDSRC AI research assistant. In the meeting, Prof. Dr. Bens Pardamean addressed the importance of long-term vision in developing AI research and industry in Indonesia. With Indonesian policy climates changing rapidly, it will be hard to maintain progress in AI development, as long-term vision ensures sustainability. After Prof. Dr. Bens Pardamean and the other invitees expressed their ideas, the event concluded with a commitment from the Indonesia Ministry of Foreign Affairs to increase the quality of Indonesian AI talent and data regulations. The ministry thanked BINUS University, represented by Prof. Dr. Bens Pardamean, for fulfilling the invitations, and promised to invite Prof. Dr. Bens Pardamean if any further collaboration is required.