Jakarta. Artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in Indonesia is rising fast, yet industries face a widening shortage of skilled workers to keep pace.

Google Developer Expert Esther Irawati Setiawan said AI talent has grown in recent years, but it remains far short of demand.

“Five years ago, maybe only 20 percent of industry needs were met, and now it’s closer to 50 percent. But the gap is still wide,” she said at the launch of IDCamp 2025 in Jakarta on Wednesday. Esther stressed that expanding AI-focused training, including at universities, is crucial to narrowing the gap as more industries undergo digital transformation.

Dicoding Indonesia CEO Narenda Wicaksono also stressed the need for deeper collaboration so that more talent with advanced AI skills can be produced.

Meanwhile, a study by AWS Indonesia, Unlocking Indonesia’s AI Potential, found that in 2024, 18 million businesses already use AI, with 76 percent relying on it mainly for efficiency and automation, while only 10 percent have integrated AI into strategic decisions or new business models.

Moreover, the study warned that 48 percent of future jobs in Indonesia will require AI literacy, yet only 21 percent of businesses believe their workforce is adequately prepared. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs projects demand for 453,000 to 600,000 AI specialists annually through 2030.

The study surveyed 1,000 business leaders and 1,000 nationally representative members of the public in Indonesia