Indonesia has taken a major step toward technological self-reliance with the introduction of Sahabat-AI, an open-source large language model ecosystem built specifically for Bahasa Indonesia and its local languages. The initiative was announced on November 14, 2024, in Jakarta by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk during Indonesia AI Day. It aims to strengthen digital sovereignty, preserve linguistic heritage, and support socio-economic growth across the archipelago.
A National Effort for Digital Sovereignty
Sahabat-AI is designed by Indonesians and for Indonesians, reflecting the country's Golden Indonesia 2045 vision. The project addresses a critical gap left by global AI models, which often lack local context and cultural nuance. By enabling AI services and applications in native languages, the ecosystem is expected to democratize access to advanced technology and support national leadership in digital infrastructure.
Collaboration Across Industry and Academia
The initiative brings together universities, media organizations, government agencies, and technology partners to ensure cultural relevance and accuracy. Participating institutions include the University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University, Bandung Institute of Technology, and Bogor Institute of Agriculture, alongside Republika and Kompas Group. AI Singapore and Tech Mahindra also supported training using NVIDIA AI Enterprise software, including NVIDIA NeMo, to enhance general language understanding.
Local Language Processing and Cultural Relevance
Sahabat-AI can process vast amounts of data in Bahasa Indonesia and its local languages while preserving essential cultural and linguistic nuances. The model is designed as a practical solution for everyday life in Indonesia, helping users interact with advanced AI in their native language. This approach bridges the digital divide, fosters digital literacy, and accelerates growth in key sectors across the country.
Technical Foundation and Initial Deployment
The first phase of Sahabat-AI will launch with 8-billion and 9-billion parameter large language models trained on NVIDIA's full-stack AI platform. Indosat Group will provide continued support through its GPU Merdeka sovereign AI cloud service, which uses NVIDIA Hopper-based accelerated computing. Hippocratic AI, a healthcare-focused language model company, will incorporate the new Sahabat-AI models into its services for residents of Indonesia.
Leadership Perspectives
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison President Director and CEO Vikram Sinha described the project as a step toward digital sovereignty and inclusivity, empowering Indonesians to use technology in their own language. GoTo CEO Patrick Walujo emphasized that the open-source ecosystem requires broad stakeholder support to create meaningful change across business, government, and society. NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang highlighted Indonesia's culture of gotong royong, or mutual collaboration, as a model for tailoring large language models to unique national needs.
Path Toward Golden Indonesia 2045
Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka noted that Indonesia's demographic bonus in the 2030s makes superior human resource development essential. He said the government remains committed to building an ecosystem where young people can innovate in AI across economic, social, cultural, and linguistic domains. Sahabat-AI is positioned as a key initiative that demonstrates Indonesia's sovereign AI capabilities and supports the nation's ambition to become a regional AI leader.
The launch of Sahabat-AI marks a significant milestone in Indonesia's artificial intelligence journey and its broader digital transformation agenda. By combining international expertise with local knowledge, the project creates a foundation for inclusive innovation, digital literacy, and sectoral growth. As stakeholders from the public and private sectors join the open-source ecosystem, Sahabat-AI could help shape a more self-reliant and culturally grounded AI landscape for Indonesia.