Indonesia–Germany Sets a Milestone in Inclusive AI: Promoting Open Data Ecosystems and Community-Driven AI

JAKARTA – Since 2023, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, together with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, has been implementing “FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All”, an initiative of German development cooperation through the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). 

FAIR Forward is a global programme spanning seven countries in Asia and Africa aimed at developing Artificial Intelligence (AI) resources that minimise bias, are ethical, and tailored to the local context in Indonesia. FAIR Forward has continuously pursued its main objective of democratising AI globally by fostering local innovation through open access to AI training data.

Andianto Haryoko, Director of Digital Infrastructure, Ecosystem, and Security at the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, reaffirmed Indonesia’s commitment to accelerating national digital transformation. “The Government of Indonesia has a strong commitment to accelerating national digital transformation. This transformation is not only realised through infrastructure development, but also through strengthening government policies, data governance, digital security, as well as the development of a sustainable digital ecosystem and innovation,” said Director Andianto at the event “Indonesia-Germany Cooperation FAIR Forward: Advancing an Open Data Ecosystem and Community-Based AI” in Jakarta on Wednesday (6 May).

In line with the National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029, the Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas, together with FAIR Forward, addresses issues related to the climate crisis, adopting AI for climate action within Indonesia’s blue economy, continuing the implementation of peer-to-peer learning programmes and capacity development for Indonesian policymakers in the field of AI, and facilitating cross-continental AI policy learning between Asia and Africa.

Thomas Foerch, Urban Development and Cross-Cutting Topics Cooperation Area Lead at GIZ, emphasised the potential of German cooperation to strengthen Indonesia’s human resource capacity for digital transformation innovation. “Germany is globally recognised as a hub for advancing innovation. Through the unique approach of FAIR Forward, we are committed to positioning Indonesia as a testing ground for AI innovation within the framework of bilateral cooperation between our countries. This begins with developing training data and open data sources, strengthening the technical capacities of local human resources, and advancing ethical AI policy frameworks based on lessons from the EU AI Act as well as from countries across Africa and Asia. We also offer a free, certified AI Ethics course for policymakers on the global platform, Atingi,” explained Thomas. 

FAIR Forward promotes an inclusive AI approach for Indigenous community innovation, particularly to strengthen climate resilience. This approach emphasises the importance of ethics in the collection of open data sources, taking into account gender analysis and FPIC (Free, Prior, Informed Consent) as a fundamental right of Indigenous peoples. 

This commitment was nominated for the UN SDG Digital GameChangers Award 2024, Category 2: Planet - Innovation for our climate and environment, for the initiative “Artificial Intelligence Meets Jungle/Forest Forward." In addition, FAIR Forward also contributes to the development of national and international AI ethics policies with an environmental perspective, such as UNESCO’s “AI for Environment and Ecosystems Toolkit for Policymakers.”

Through collaboration with partners, FAIR Forward has developed various AI-based projects, such as the indicative mapping of national High Carbon Stock (HCS) forests, which is now being used as a pilot model by the governments of Goa, India, and Senegal, West Africa, in partnership with Jaringan Kerja Pemetaan Partisipatif (JKPP). Additionally, the capacity of coastal communities in Maros and Pulo Aceh to strengthen climate resilience is being enhanced through community internet networks and a citizen science approach based on local AI modelling.

Furthermore, policymakers are provided with AI training programmes by Harapura Impact and Aptaworks through strategic dialogue platforms, enabling them to understand the potential and risks of AI in a critical, contextual, and participatory manner, ultimately fostering ethical AI governance in Indonesia.

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JAKARTA – Sejak 2023, Kementerian PPN/Bappenas bersama Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH telah melaksanakan “FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All”, sebuah inisiatif dari kerja sama pembangunan Jerman melalui Kementerian Federal Jerman untuk Kerja Sama Ekonomi dan Pembangunan (BMZ). 

FAIR Forward merupakan program global yang mencakup tujuh negara di Asia dan Afrika, sebagai upaya mengembangkan sumber daya Kecerdasan Artifisial (AI) yang meminimalisasi bias, beretika, dan sesuai dengan konteks lokal di Indonesia. FAIR Forward senantiasa mengejar tujuan utamanya dalam mendemokratisasi AI secara global melalui pengembangan inovasi lokal dengan membuka sumber data latih AI.

Direktur Infrastruktur, Ekosistem, dan Keamanan Digital Kementerian PPN/Bappenas Andianto Haryoko menegaskan komitmen Indonesia dalam mempercepat transformasi digital nasional. “Pemerintah Indonesia memiliki komitmen kuat untuk mempercepat transformasi digital nasional. Transformasi ini tidak hanya diwujudkan dalam pembangunan infrastruktur, tetapi juga melalui penguatan kebijakan pemerintah, tata kelola data, keamanan digital, serta pengembangan ekosistem dan inovasi digital yang berkelanjutan,” ujar Direktur Andianto dalam Acara “Kerja Sama Indonesia-Jerman FAIR Forward: Mendorong Ekosistem Data Terbuka dan AI Berbasis Masyarakat” di Jakarta, Rabu (6/5).

Sejalan dengan Rencana Pembangunan Jangka Menengah Nasional (RPJMN) 2025-2029, Kementerian PPN/Bappenas bersama FAIR Forward meneliti isu-isu terkait krisis iklim, mengadopsi AI untuk iklim dalam ekonomi biru Indonesia, melanjutkan implementasi program pembelajaran sebaya (peer-to-peer learning) dan pengembangan kapasitas bagi pembuat kebijakan Indonesia dalam bidang AI, serta menjembatani pembelajaran kebijakan AI lintas benua Asia-Afrika.

Urban Development dan Cross-Cutting Topics Cooperation Area Lead GIZ Thomas Foerch menekankan potensi kerja sama Jerman dalam penguatan kapasitas sumber daya manusia Indonesia untuk inovasi transformasi digital. “Jerman dikenal secara global sebagai pusat pemajuan inovasi. Melalui keunikan FAIR Forward, kami berkomitmen untuk mendorong Indonesia sebagai uji coba inovasi AI dalam kerja sama bilateral antara negara kita. Dimulai dari mengembangkan data latih dan sumber data terbuka, penguatan kemampuan teknis SDM lokal, dan mengembangkan kerangka kebijakan AI beretika dari pembelajaran EU AI Act dan sesama negara Afrika serta Asia. Kami juga membuka kesempatan belajar Etika AI untuk Pembuat Kebijakan bersertifikat secara gratis di platform global Atingi,” urai Thomas. 

FAIR Forward mendorong pendekatan AI secara inklusif untuk inovasi masyarakat adat, terutama dalam memperkuat ketahanan iklim. Pendekatan ini menekankan pentingnya etika dalam pengumpulan sumber data terbuka yang mempertimbangkan analisa gender dan PADIATAPA (Persetujuan di Awal Tanpa Paksaan) sebagai hak masyarakat adat. 

Komitmen tersebut mendapat nominasi UN SDG Digital GameChangers Award 2024-Category 2: Planet - Innovation for our climate and environment "Artificial Intelligence Meets Jungle/Forest Forward". Selain itu, FAIR Forward juga berkontribusi dalam penetapan kebijakan etika AI nasional dan internasional yang berwawasan lingkungan, seperti UNESCO AI for Environment and Ecosystems Toolkit for Policymakers.

Melalui kerja sama dengan mitra, FAIR Forward telah mengembangkan berbagai proyek berbasis AI, seperti pemetaan indikatif hutan High Carbon Stock (HCS) nasional yang kini menjadi model percontohan bagi pemerintah Goa, India dan Senegal, Afrika Barat oleh Jaringan Kerja Pemetaan Partisipatif (JKPP). Kapasitas masyarakat pesisir di Maros dan Pulo Aceh dalam memperkuat ketahanan iklim juga didukung oleh jaringan internet komunitas dan pendekatan sains warga berbasis pemodelan AI lokal.

Selain itu, para pengambil kebijakan juga mendapat program pelatihan AI dari Harapura Impact dan Aptaworks melalui ruang dialog strategis untuk memahami potensi serta risiko AI secara kritis, kontekstual, dan partisipatif demi mendorong lahirnya tata kelola kebijakan AI yang beretika di Indonesia.