Indosat going ‘all in’ on AI as a transformative force for Indonesia

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison CEO Vikram Sinha is positioning the company as a key enabler in Indonesia's AI renaissance. Speaking to journalists at MWC 2026, Sinha reiterated the company's ambition to pivot from a traditional telecommunications provider to an AI-native powerhouse. He believes that success in this transformation could help "fast track" the nation towards its Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision goals.

"Our purpose is to empower Indonesia. The country is on a journey to become a developed nation, and we believe that AI can be a great enabler," said Sinha. He referred to AI as Indosat's "North Star" and explained the company's approach to the technology as being built on three distinct pillars: first, embracing AI within its telecommunications operations; second, evolving into an AI TechCo providing sovereign cloud services; and, finally, acting as a "nation shaper" for Indonesia's future.

Indosat is already wholeheartedly embracing the first step of this transformation, with Sinha emphasizing that the company must first become an AI-native telecommunications provider before setting its sights further afield. "We want to become an AI-native telco and embed AI into everything we do," he said.

Sinha argues that Indonesia is perfectly positioned to become an AI leader, possessing unique structural advantages that make it ideal for AI development. To demonstrate this, he presented the "AI five-layer cake" – a model encapsulating five key foundational elements for AI success (Energy, Chips, Infrastructure, Models, and Applications), first made popular by NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang.

When it comes to the first of these elements – energy – Indonesia is very well positioned, generating substantial surplus power each year. "When you talk about building AI factories and sovereign AI, a lot of countries struggle on energy, water, land. Indonesia has it in abundance," said Sinha.

Moving up the 'cake' to chips and infrastructure, Indosat has already begun deploying Giga infrastructure, which is critical for supporting AI applications. The company is also investing in developing local AI models and applications, ensuring that the technology is tailored to meet the specific needs of the Indonesian market.

In addition to these foundational elements, Sinha highlighted the importance of talent and education in driving AI adoption in Indonesia. He noted that the country has a young and growing workforce with a strong inclination towards technology, providing a fertile ground for the development of AI expertise.

Indosat's ambition to become an AI-native company is not just about technological innovation; it is also about shaping the future of Indonesia as a whole. By positioning itself as a nation shaper, the company aims to drive the adoption of AI across various sectors, from healthcare and education to agriculture and transportation.

Sinha's vision for Indosat as an AI-native powerhouse is ambitious, but he is confident in the company's ability to deliver. He believes that by leveraging Indonesia's unique advantages and embracing AI as a transformative force, the company can help propel the nation towards its Golden Indonesia 2045 Vision goals.

In conclusion, Indosat's pivot towards becoming an AI-native powerhouse represents a significant shift in the company's strategy and positioning. By embracing AI as a transformative force, the company aims to not only revolutionize its own operations but also play a pivotal role in shaping Indonesia's future as an AI-driven nation. With a strong focus on foundational elements like energy, infrastructure, and talent, Indosat is well-positioned to lead the way in Indonesia's AI renaissance.