Indosat backs government's AI workforce initiative targeting 1 million Indonesians

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison has signed a memorandum of understanding with Indonesia’s ministry of manpower and Wadhwani Foundation to expand access to artificial intelligence, digital skills, and entrepreneurship training across the country, as part of a broader effort to strengthen Indonesia’s workforce readiness in the digital economy.

The collaboration aims to accelerate a joint commitment by Indosat and the Wadhwani Foundation to empower 1 million digital talents and 100,000 Indonesian entrepreneurs through technology-based training programmes.

The agreement will integrate the ministry of manpower’s SIAPKerja ecosystem with Wadhwani Foundation’s JobReady and Genie AI platforms, alongside Indosat’s connectivity and technology support. The programme will be rolled out through a network of 24 vocational training centres under the ministry.

Don't miss: Indosat consolidates marketing and commercial strategy under new chief growth officer

The initiative comes as Indonesia faces mounting pressure to close the gap between workforce capabilities and rapidly evolving industry demands shaped by digitalisation and AI adoption.

Indonesian manpower minister Yassierli said the world of work is undergoing rapid transformation driven by technological disruption, creating increasing urgency for cross-sector collaboration.

He added that Indonesia’s demographic dividend could become a burden without the right interventions, describing the partnership as “a concrete step toward strengthening the national employment ecosystem through an integrated, adaptive, and technology-driven approach.”

The programme will deliver AI-driven adaptive learning, personalised career guidance, and industry-relevant skills modules aimed at improving job readiness for participants. It also includes a focus on entrepreneurship development, particularly for independent workers and aspiring business owners.

Inclusivity has also been positioned as a core pillar of the partnership. The three parties said they will provide accessibility support and tailored learning modules for workers with disabilities across all participating centres. Indosat will provide digital accessibility support, while Wadhwani Foundation will contribute adaptive plug-and-play training modules.

Vikram Sinha, president director and CEO of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, said the partnership reflects Indosat’s wider ambition to democratise AI access in Indonesia. 

“At Indosat, we believe technology must continue to evolve to deliver better experiences for society. AI is not just about innovation, but also about how technology can create more opportunities, deliver more relevant experiences, and generate meaningful impact for customers and Indonesia’s younger generation. The spirit of #LebihBaikIndosat drives us to continually evolve, elevate customer experiences, and build stronger bonds with our customers,” he said.

Meanwhile, Meetul B. Patel, president of Wadhwani Entrepreneurship, highlighted the importance of aligning training content with current labour market needs.

“With the integration into SIAPKerja and the support of 24 Kemnaker BLKs, we can reach millions of young people across Indonesia in a measurable way. The skills being trained are skills that today’s industry is genuinely looking for – not yesterday’s trends,” he said.

The collaboration has already launched its first AI-based entrepreneurship workshop, held online from 10 to 14 May. According to the organisations, the programme attracted 8,744 participants from more than 20 regions across Indonesia and generated over 1,200 business ideas.

The initiative is projected to create between 3,000 and 5,000 new jobs over the coming years, while participants completing the full programme will receive certification jointly issued by the ministry of manpower, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, and Wadhwani Foundation.

Beyond job seekers and entrepreneurs, the AI and digital intelligence training will also be extended to ministry of manpower employees as part of internal capability-building efforts.

The partnership will run through 2029, with reviews conducted every six months using a data-driven evaluation framework.

Be part of PR Asia Indonesia 2026 on 15 July 2026 – the first time this regional communications flagship lands in Jakarta – bringing together communications leaders ready to redefine influence, reputation, and impact!

Related articles:
Indosat, Safaricom partner to turn AI ambitions into real-world customer impact
Indosat tests network reliability with 11-hour TikTok Live along Jakarta-Yogyakarta mudik route
Indosat sends women-led AI startups to Vietnam through SheHacks global market trip