Indosat & Huawei Unveil US$200m AI Centre in Indonesia

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IOH), Indonesia’s second-largest telecommunications provider, has introduced the nation's first AI experience centre.

The new facility, launched at Solo Technopark, is backed by a 5G network infrastructure in collaboration with Chinese telecoms giant, Huawei.

This marks the initial stage of IOH’s broader AI investment strategy, aiming to create a hub for AI research, development and technical training which could have transformative ripple effects in the manufacturing sector.

A step towards AI leadership

The recently unveiled Digital Intelligence Operations Centre (DIOC) in Solo was inaugurated by Indosat's President Director and CEO, Vikram Sinha, along with the presence of Huawei's Asia-Pacific President, Simon Lin and their respective board members.

The launch signals an ambitious partnership between the two companies, which both leaders believe will strengthen Indonesia’s position in the global AI landscape.

The development of the centre is part of IOH's mission to advance digital connectivity across Indonesia.

Vikram says: "Indosat’s larger purpose is to connect and digitally empower every Indonesian, which inspired the creation of the country’s first-ever AI Experience Centre at Solo Technopark."

The collaboration aims not only to position IOH as a leader in digital transformation but also to encourage the adoption of AI across Indonesia’s industries.

The AI centre operates on a foundation of cutting-edge 5G network technology, offering improved speeds and lower latency.

It’s built as a showcase for AI applications, particularly within creative industries like arts and food services and to boost smart city management systems.

The concept of ‘gotong royong’ (mutual cooperation) plays a pivotal role in IOH’s broader transformation strategy, emphasising the importance of international collaboration to build an 'AI-native' telecommunications network.

“This initiative would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our partner, Huawei, who provided cutting-edge technologies to bring the centre to life,” adds Vikram.

“We look forward to continuing our collaboration with Huawei as we enter the next phase of the centre's development.”

The practical applications

The facility at Solo Technopark aims to integrate AI into various sectors.

One of the main applications includes smart city management systems, designed to leverage the capabilities of 5G networks to optimise urban environments. In addition, the centre presents innovations in the arts and creative fields, expanding AI's reach beyond traditional tech-heavy applications.

“The AI Experience Centre marks a major leap in our efforts to empower Indonesia through AI,” explains Vikram.

“It serves as a showcase for cutting-edge AI technologies applicable across various sectors, including smart city management optimised by 5G, as well as the arts, food and beverage industries and other creative fields.”

This focus on technical development isn’t limited to industry showcases. A significant portion of the centre’s mission is to act as a training ground for various groups, including students, civil servants and the community.

The goal is to bridge knowledge gaps by providing practical training in AI fundamentals, such as machine learning – a branch of AI that allows systems to learn and improve without being explicitly programmed.

According to Vikram, “In addition to showcasing the latest AI innovations, the centre serves as a training hub, offering programmes for students, public servants and the wider community on how AI can boost productivity and open up new opportunities.”

Investing in skills for the future

IOH’s establishment of the DIOC is part of its larger plan to expand its digital and data infrastructure offerings.

The newly launched facility represents just the first phase of IOH’s AI roadmap. The next step is an ambitious US$200m investment to develop an AI Centre of Excellence.

This expanded centre aims to not only further AI-cloud infrastructure but also to build essential human capital through training programmes in AI technologies.

IOH sees this new investment as key to cementing Indonesia’s role within the global AI community. Sinha highlights the strategic vision: “We have plans to invest $200 million in the creation of a larger AI Centre of Excellence, which will focus on AI-cloud infrastructure and the development of human capital in AI.

"As Indonesia embarks on a technological revolution, the centre represents more than just the beginning of a new era – it marks the launch of a journey that will elevate Indonesia to a leadership position within the global AI community.”

With its partnership with Huawei, IOH seeks to transform its operations, build local talent, and enhance digital capabilities.

As the AI Experience Centre gears up for its next phase, the investment reflects IOH’s long-term commitment to creating a digitally inclusive Indonesia. 

The project signals more than a technological leap; it aims to inspire a new generation of innovators and leaders in Indonesia.

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