Jakarta, 24 July 2025 – Deputy Minister of Creative Economy (Deputy Minister) Irene Umar emphasized that Artificial Intelligence (AI) should serve as a driver of the creative economy. To that end, the Deputy Minister stated that AI must be properly directed to reinforce the creative economy as the new engine of growth.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar at the Kick Off Semesta AI: Let Us Create AI to Drive the Creative Economy, Jakarta, Thursday (24/07/2025).
“Indonesia possesses extraordinary sources of creativity and talent. Artificial Intelligence (AI) will not replace humans because humans are able to learn and adapt to technology. With today’s digital era and rapid technological development worldwide, we need to move very fast, and we have that ability as humans to shape AI,” said Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar during her keynote speech at the Kick Off Semesta AI 2025 at Menara Thamrin, Jakarta, Thursday (24/07/2025).
The Kick Off Semesta AI 2025, initiated in collaboration with Lintasarta and NVIDIA Inception, marks an important milestone in building cross-sector collaboration to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence in Indonesia. Semesta AI, together with Laskar AI and AI Use Case, is directed to form the Gerakan AI Merdeka, an AI-based startup acceleration initiative as a concrete step to strengthen Indonesia’s artificial intelligence ecosystem.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
A total of 155 startups from various regions across Indonesia have registered for Semesta AI, with 20 top startups selected to participate in an intensive mentoring program facilitated by Lintasarta. Meanwhile, 30 other participants will receive technical assistance for the development of AI-based solutions.
Deputy Minister of Creative Economy Irene Umar added that AI is not merely a supporting technology, but a strategic instrument to create efficiency, foster technology-based creativity, and enhance the global competitiveness of Indonesia’s creative economy toward Indonesia Emas 2045.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
“The creative economy is the new engine of growth. Through AI, we are not merely creating technology, but developing solutions. This means we should not only create products; let us create impactful applications of AI to drive Indonesia’s creative economy into the global market,” added the Deputy Minister.
President Director and CEO of Lintasarta Bayu Hanantasena expressed his hope that Semesta AI 2025 would not only function as an acceleration program, but also represent a shared commitment to building a sovereign, inclusive, and impactful AI ecosystem for Indonesia.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
“In facing the continuously evolving digital era, we require not only infrastructure and technology, but also ecosystems and collaboration. Therefore, Lintasarta plays a strategic role by introducing the Gerakan AI Merdeka, which is built upon three main programs: Laskar AI, Semesta AI, and AI Use Case. We also extend our highest appreciation to the Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency for its full support in emphasizing the importance of synergy between technology and the creative economy in Indonesia,” said Bayu Hanantasena.
As an AI Factory under the Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH) Group, Lintasarta has more than 37 years of experience. Today, Lintasarta carries a noble mission to empower Indonesia in accelerating the realization of the nation’s digital potential. This spirit serves as the foundation for its efforts in building sustainable digital transformation.
Doc. Bureau for Communication, Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
The Semesta AI Program offers a range of strategic benefits, including one-on-one mentoring from AI technology professionals, pilot projects for startups, access to NVIDIA AI Infrastructure, and collaboration opportunities with more than 2,300 corporate customers of Lintasarta, thereby supporting faster access to broader markets.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Acting Head of the Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy / Creative Economy Agency
