Key facts
- Free university education plan could cost nearly 10% of government spending.
- AI integration in government programs aims to lift GDP by 12% by 2030.
- Indonesia has 196 data centre facilities, with plans to expand capacity.
- Microsoft pledged $1.7 billion to expand cloud services and AI in Indonesia.
Indonesia's ambitious plan to offer free public education from primary school through university is raising concerns about potential fiscal strain, as it could require nearly 10% of the government's total expenditure. This initiative comes alongside other costly programs, such as a free meals drive, and the government's broader strategy to integrate artificial intelligence into key public services. The AI strategy aims to enhance national competitiveness and potentially boost GDP by 12% by 2030. A draft presidential regulation outlining the AI roadmap and ethics is pending approval, with contributions from companies like Meta, IBM, and Microsoft.