inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Vice Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, emphasized that Indonesian citizens' digital data and content are now a crucial foundation for the development of global artificial intelligence (AI), so the state must ensure their rights and economic value are not lost.
He believes that data is no longer just personal information, but also the primary raw material for artificial intelligence. Every digital activity, from location to conversations to social media posts, becomes a trace that is processed into high-value business models and AI models.
"Global platforms such as Google, Meta, and TikTok collect and process data on a massive scale. This data is then used to develop big data and artificial intelligence-based technology," said Nezar on Tuesday (3/3/2026).
He cautioned that the issue goes beyond personal data protection. Public content, including journalistic works and academic writing, also has the potential to be used to train AI machines without fair mechanisms.
Nezar cited the example of The New York Times's decision to restrict access to its content because it was being used to train AI systems like OpenAI. This dispute demonstrates that writing style and news content have economic value and intellectual property rights.
"If not regulated, the work of Indonesian journalists, academics, and creators could become training material for global AI without a clear agreement. The added value will be enjoyed by others," explains Nezar.
Therefore, the Ministry of Communication and Digital is reviewing the national regulatory framework to address the challenges of new technologies, including artificial intelligence.
The government is also studying data governance practices from the European Union, which prioritizes the protection of citizens' rights in digital regulations.
In addition to the issue of data sovereignty, Nezar emphasized the importance of cyber resilience. The government is preparing special regulations as a legal umbrella to protect the national digital architecture from evolving cyber threats.
"A country that is able to manage and control data will have a stronger bargaining position in the global digital economy. We cannot simply be a market. We must ensure that citizens' data provides real benefits to the nation," he stressed.
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