Indonesia Sets September 2025 Deadline for Landmark AI Regulation

Jakarta, Indonesia – The race to govern artificial intelligence is heating up in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Indonesia is poised to enact its first comprehensive national framework for AI, targeting September 2025 for the issuance of a crucial presidential regulation (Perpres). This decisive move signals the nation’s commitment to shaping its digital future responsibly.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics, Nezar Patria, confirmed the timeline this week. He stated the drafting process is entering its final phase, aiming for completion by the end of July 2025. A critical step follows: opening the draft for public consultation throughout August. “We hope the regulation will be finalized in September in the form of a presidential decree,” Nezar announced during a briefing at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Komdigi). Post-consultation, the draft undergoes harmonization with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the State Secretariat before presidential signing.

Indonesia AI Regulation Timeline and Process

The impending regulation isn’t developed in isolation. Nezar emphasized its foundation in the AI Policy Dialogue Country Report, a significant collaborative effort between Indonesia and the United Kingdom. This report provides a concrete and forward-looking reference point for national AI policy. “As a follow-up, the Ministry will use the results of this dialogue to formulate policy recommendations that are concrete, progressive, and aligned with national interests,” Nezar explained. The report tackles both fundamental ethical questions and sector-specific challenges in AI development and deployment.

The Komdigi views the government’s role as pivotal in fostering a robust national AI ecosystem. “We are currently drafting a national AI roadmap, and this document is one of the key inputs that will help guide the process alongside other materials we’ve already produced,” Nezar added. This dual approach – combining the binding Perpres with a strategic roadmap – underscores Indonesia’s holistic strategy. Read about Indonesia’s broader AI governance plans.

Foundations and Goals of the AI Policy

The upcoming regulation aims to address several critical dimensions:

• Ethical Deployment: Establishing guardrails for responsible AI use.
• Risk Mitigation: Identifying and managing potential harms from AI systems.
• Innovation Support: Creating a conducive environment for AI research and development within Indonesia.
• Global Alignment: Ensuring Indonesian standards remain responsive to international developments.

The AI Policy Dialogue Country Report provides the systematic framework underpinning these goals, ensuring the policy is both locally relevant and globally aware. This international collaboration highlights the importance Indonesia places on aligning its approach with established best practices while addressing domestic priorities.

Building a National AI Ecosystem

The Indonesian government is positioning itself as a facilitator and accelerator for AI growth. The national AI roadmap, developed in parallel with the Perpres, is designed to chart the course for long-term development, talent cultivation, infrastructure needs, and economic integration of AI technologies. The synergy between the binding regulation and the strategic roadmap is crucial. Together, they are expected to balance the imperative for innovation with robust public protection measures, fostering a sustainable and competitive national AI landscape.

Indonesia’s push for definitive AI governance by September 2025 marks a pivotal moment. It represents a concerted effort to harness AI’s immense potential while proactively safeguarding citizens and defining the nation’s role in the global digital economy. The coming months of public consultation and inter-agency harmonization will be critical in shaping a regulation that is both effective and equitable. Stakeholders across industry, academia, and civil society are urged to engage actively in the August consultation process.

Must Know

Q: When exactly will Indonesia’s AI regulation be issued?
A: The Indonesian government, specifically Deputy Minister Nezar Patria, has targeted September 2025 for the finalization and issuance of the Presidential Regulation (Perpres) on Artificial Intelligence.

Q: What are the key steps before the AI regulation is finalized?
A: The draft is expected to be completed by end of July 2025. It will then undergo public consultation throughout August 2025, followed by a harmonization process involving the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the State Secretariat.

Q: What is the foundation for Indonesia’s AI regulation?
A: The regulation is heavily based on the findings and framework outlined in the AI Policy Dialogue Country Report, which was a collaborative effort between Indonesia and the United Kingdom. This report addresses fundamental and sector-specific AI issues.

Q: How does the AI roadmap relate to the presidential regulation?
A: The national AI roadmap is a separate but complementary strategic document being developed by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics. While the Perpres sets binding rules, the roadmap outlines the long-term vision, strategy, and development plans for Indonesia’s AI ecosystem. Both are crucial pillars of the national approach.

Q: What is the main goal of Indonesia’s AI regulation?
A: The primary goals are to ensure the ethical and responsible use of AI, mitigate potential risks, support domestic innovation, and align Indonesian practices with global standards, all while protecting the public interest and fostering a sustainable AI ecosystem.