Indonesia's Indosat, GoTo Unveil Local-Language AI Model

Indonesia's tech and telecom sectors are poised for a significant boost with the launch of Sahabat-AI, a large language model ecosystem developed by Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and GoTo Gojek Tokopedia. This initiative aims to empower Indonesians to build AI-based services and applications in local languages, with a deep understanding of local context and cultural relevance. The collaboration between these companies, along with AI Singapore, Tech Mahindra, and Nvidia, is set to revolutionize AI in Indonesia and attract more international investments.

Sahabat-AI, trained using Nvidia's full-stack AI platform, will launch with 8-billion and 9-billion parameter large language models in its first phase. This model is expected to enhance user engagement and retention for Indosat and GoTo's services, as it caters to the diverse linguistic landscape of Indonesia. By offering AI services tailored to Indonesian users, these companies are poised to increase their market share and user base, while fostering innovation in the local AI industry.

The collaboration between Indosat, GoTo, AI Singapore, Tech Mahindra, and Nvidia is set to significantly accelerate the development and deployment of Sahabat-AI. This multi-stakeholder collaboration ensures a robust and culturally relevant AI model, empowering Indonesians to build AI-based services and applications in local languages. The model's understanding of local context and cultural relevance will be enhanced through contributions from several universities and media groups.

Indosat's CEO, Vikram Sinha, has expressed the company's commitment to empowering Indonesia through AI, with Sahabat-AI being a key part of this strategy. The telco is also investing in Nvidia-powered data centers and collaborating with Google to become an "AI native telco." This focus on AI aligns with a broader drive in Southeast Asia to build AI models that better reflect the region's diverse languages and cultures, such as Singapore's Sea-Lion project.

The launch of Sahabat-AI is expected to foster innovation and growth in Indonesia's AI industry, attracting more international investments. By providing a robust, locally-tailored AI platform, Sahabat-AI can help Indonesia preserve its local culture and dialects while embracing the global surge in generative AI. This strategic move positions Indosat at the forefront of conversations about sovereign AI, potentially drawing more international investments into the country's AI sector.

In conclusion, the launch of Sahabat-AI by Indosat and GoTo is a significant development in Indonesia's AI landscape. This initiative, supported by a collaborative effort between tech giants and local expertise, aims to empower Indonesians to build AI services in local languages. As the AI industry in Indonesia continues to grow, this strategic move positions these companies well to capture a substantial share of potential revenue streams and maintain a competitive edge in the market.