AI Regulation

Indonesia is moving closer to a dedicated AI presidential regulation, and the policy could reshape how services such as ChatGPT, Siri, Gemini, and Copilot operate in the country. Rather than banning popular tools, the government is aiming to build a clearer legal framework for how they are used and supervised. The move comes as AI is increasingly used to search for information, create content, and support daily work. With that rapid expansion, the government says a specific regulation is now urgent, and the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs is optimistic that the rule can be issued this year after being declared ready in principle. Regulation enters its final stage Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid said the draft presidential regulation on AI has already been submitted to the State Secretariat and is waiting for the next procedural steps before being signed. The government has been working on the rule since mid-2025, and the process is now in its final phase. The drafting process was not completed in one step. The government revisited the draft after receiving input from several US technology companies and other parties, then adopted some of those suggestions to reach a balance between innovation and public protection. A risk-based approach One of the core ideas behind the policy is to classify AI use according to risk level. Komdigi is grouping AI systems into high, medium, and low risk categories so that supervision can be adjusted to the potential impact of each service. This approach mirrors the model used by the European Union in the AI Act. Under that system, not every AI service faces the same level of oversight, making the regulation more proportional to the risks involved. Ethics becomes a central part Beyond risk classification, the government is also preparing ethical guidelines as part of Indonesia’s national AI governance. Those guidelines are expected to serve as a reference for developers, service providers, and users so AI can be used responsibly. Transparency, security, accountability, and data protection are expected to be part of the framework. For widely used AI platforms, those rules could become a new operating standard when serving users in Indonesia. What it means for industry and users The arrival of the presidential regulation is seen as important because AI oversight has so far been spread across various general rules. That situation has left some industry players waiting for clearer policy direction before expanding products or investing at a larger scale. A clearer rule would help companies understand their rights, obligations, and limits when using AI. At the same time, users would gain stronger protection because the technology would operate under a more defined legal structure. A roadmap for 10 priority sectors The presidential regulation is not limited to ethics and oversight. It also includes a national roadmap for AI development, with a foundation built on infrastructure, digital talent, and supporting regulation. Komdigi says there are 10 priority sectors for AI adoption in Indonesia, including health, education, finance, and food security. Those priorities align with the national development agenda of President Prabowo Subianto. Will popular services be restricted? There is concern that the new rule could limit widely used services such as ChatGPT or Siri. However, the government’s current direction does not point to a direct ban, but rather to governance, ethics, and risk management. Officials have stressed the need to find a balance between innovation and safety. As a result, services such as ChatGPT, Siri, Gemini, and similar platforms are likely to remain available, although providers may need to adjust to the new standards set in Indonesia. For the technology industry, the regulation will mark an important signal about how Indonesia wants to shape its AI ecosystem. For users, the expectation is that AI can keep growing while public interests receive stronger protection. Source: www.idntimes.com

AI Rules Are Coming, ChatGPT and Siri Will No Longer Operate Without Oversight