Yesterday, Indonesia saw the launch of Sahabat-AI, an open-source large language model (LLM) ecosystem tailored specifically for Bahasa Indonesia and diverse local languages in the country. The initiative, jointly spearheaded by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and GoTo Group, reflects the country’s ambition to assert its digital sovereignty while preserving its rich linguistic heritage.

The announcement was made during Indonesia AI Day event which was attended by Erick Thohir, Indonesia’s Minister of State-Owned Enterprises; Jensen Huang, NVIDIA founder and CEO; Vikram Sinha, CEO of Indosat; and Patrick Walujo, CEO of GoTo.

The introduction of Sahabat-AI is described as aligning with the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision, a roadmap to propel the nation into a technological and economic powerhouse. “Sahabat-AI is not just a technological achievement; it embodies Indonesia’s vision for a future where digital sovereignty and inclusivity go hand in hand,” remarked Sinha.

Unlike global LLMs, Sahabat-AI is designed to address Indonesia’s unique linguistic and cultural nuances. It will enable businesses, public institutions, and educational entities to build AI-driven services in native languages.

Walujo echoed these sentiments: “Our vision for Sahabat-AI is to put the power of AI into the hands of everyone in Indonesia. By operating in Bahasa Indonesia, Sahabat-AI addresses critical context and cultural reference gaps left by global large language models.”

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Cross-border collaboration

The creation of Sahabat-AI brings together stakeholders across academia, government, media, and industry. Indonesian universities, including the University of Indonesia, Gadjah Mada University, Bandung Institute of Technology, and Bogor Institute of Agriculture, are contributing research and development expertise.

Media organisations such as Republika and Kompas Group are playing a pivotal role in ensuring the AI system’s contextual and cultural accuracy. International partnerships further bolster the project, with AI Singapore and Tech Mahindra providing technical support using NVIDIA’s advanced AI enterprise software, including the NeMo framework.

At its core, Sahabat-AI represents a blend of cutting-edge technology and localised adaptation. The model was trained on NVIDIA’s full-stack AI platform, leveraging the Indosat Group GPU Merdeka sovereign AI cloud service with NVIDIA Hopper-based accelerated computing. Initial iterations of Sahabat-AI will include LLMs with 8-billion and 9-billion parameters, capable of processing vast amounts of data in local languages.

This technological framework is designed to enhance general language understanding while preserving cultural and linguistic nuances. The models are set to be incorporated into applications like Hippocratic AI, the world’s first safety-focused LLM for healthcare, which will extend services to Indonesian residents.

Sahabat-AI is poised to address some of Indonesia’s most pressing challenges, including digital literacy and equitable access to technology. By enabling Indonesians to interact with AI in their native languages, the initiative fosters inclusivity and democratises access to advanced technology.

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“This initiative is a crucial step towards democratising AI as a tool for growth, innovation, and empowerment across our diverse society,” said Sinha. The LLM ecosystem is expected to accelerate growth across key sectors, including education, governance, and commerce, by bridging gaps in digital access.

Walujo added: “Sahabat-AI will help businesses communicate in new ways with customers, empower government ministries to engage more comprehensively with citizens, and drive meaningful change for millions of people across the country.”

While the first phase of Sahabat-AI sets the foundation, its success depends on sustained collaboration. As Walujo pointed out, “The only way to realise this vision is with the support of others.” The initiative calls for continued partnerships with international and local stakeholders to scale the ecosystem and unlock its full potential.

As Indonesia moves towards its 2045 vision, projects such as Sahabat-AI intends to highlight the country’s commitment to harnessing technology for socio-economic progress. By prioritising digital sovereignty and cultural preservation, Indonesia is not only positioning itself as a leader in the AI space but also ensuring that the benefits of innovation are shared across its diverse population.

In the years ahead, Sahabat-AI might become a cornerstone of Indonesia’s technological landscape, a testament to the nation’s ability to combine global expertise with local innovation for the greater good.

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Image Credit: Sahabat AI

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