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The Indonesian government is making concerted efforts to increase women’s involvement in the artificial intelligence ecosystem, aiming to promote diversity and prevent the reproduction of bias within AI solutions. Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid stressed this commitment during the “AI for Women: Unlocking Bigger Opportunities and Working More Efficiently”.
Minister Hafid noted that despite progress in AI, data still indicates that women’s participation in AI development and leadership roles remains lower than desired. She acknowledged the importance of addressing this disparity and reaffirmed the Indonesian government’s intention to foster greater collaboration between academics, industry leaders and international organisations. These efforts aim to ensure women receive equal access to opportunities and resources in the AI industry, which has traditionally been male-dominated.
“AI is not just a technical domain; it is a crucial driver for innovation and progress, but the current landscape is not reflective of the full potential that women can bring to the table,” Minister Hafid stated. She stressed that diversifying the AI workforce would not only enrich the solutions created but also help ensure that the technologies are free from bias, an issue that has often arisen due to the homogeneity of AI developers.
Beyond addressing gender gaps in the AI workforce, Minister Hafid also highlighted the challenges AI adoption poses to women workers, particularly those in sectors traditionally dominated by women. She warned that the growing use of AI-driven automation could threaten many of these jobs, especially in areas like customer service, data entry and administrative support. This trend, if not properly managed, could widen the existing gender divide in the workforce and hinder efforts to achieve true gender equality in the digital era.
“If we do not take the right steps now, the digital divide between men and women could widen further and women might be left behind in the AI revolution,” she cautioned. Minister Hafid called for proactive steps to ensure that the adoption of AI and automation does not disadvantage women or exacerbate gender inequalities in the job market.
She underscored the importance of creating an AI ecosystem that is not only technologically advanced but also ethical, inclusive and beneficial for all Indonesians, regardless of gender.
The government has already taken several key steps to support this vision. One major initiative is the introduction of the Personal Data Protection Law, designed to protect public information and ensure privacy in the digital landscape. The law aims to build trust in digital platforms, which is crucial as more people, including women, engage with AI-driven technologies.
Furthermore, the government has issued an AI Ethics Circular that emphasises transparency, inclusiveness and non-discrimination in AI development. This circular serves as a guideline for developers and industry leaders, encouraging them to create technologies that uphold these principles, thereby ensuring that AI benefits society as a whole.
The government is also investing in the expansion of digital infrastructure and AI literacy across the country. One of the key components of this initiative is the focus on improving internet access, especially in rural and underserved areas, to ensure that every citizen, including women and vulnerable groups, has the same opportunities to leverage technology. This is particularly important as AI and automation continue to reshape industries and job markets.
“The movement to cover millions of citizens is strengthened by a focus on AI literacy, which includes efforts to educate women and vulnerable groups so they are not left behind in the automation era,” Minister Hafid explained. These efforts aim to equip women with the necessary skills to navigate and thrive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and inclusive AI ecosystem in Indonesia.