Indonesia Aims to Match China's AI and Robotics Prowess

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto expressed strong confidence that Indonesia can bridge the gap with China's current achievements in artificial intelligence and robotics. He believes Indonesia must actively pursue advancements to match China's progress.

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China has achieved extraordinary things in its applications of AI and robotics, so Indonesia must catch up with what they are doing.

Hartarto shared these views during his visit to the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) in Shanghai. The conference, a major global event for AI, intelligent computing, and embodied intelligence, showcases significant technological developments.

During his tour of the WAIC, Hartarto observed China's rapidly developing robotics industry, noting its versatility in automating various tasks. He visited companies like Unitree Robotics and Deep Robotics, which specialize in advanced legged and humanoid robots for both consumer and industrial applications.

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Their robotics industry is truly developing and has remarkable versatility, particularly regarding the many tasks that can now be automated through robots.

Hartarto plans to brief President Prabowo Subianto on his observations from the WAIC and his meetings with Chinese officials. He stressed that Indonesia cannot afford to fall behind in critical sectors like AI, robotics, and renewable energy. His visit underscores Indonesia's commitment to enhancing its technological capabilities and competitiveness on the global stage.

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Of course, we will report that moving forward, we must not be left behind in AI, particularly in robotics and the renewable energy sector.