The increasing use and impact of AI on Indonesia’s economy: Inside AYC’s perspective on a pressing global topic

The use of Artificial Intelligence today has increased rapidly, from education, to businesses, and even diplomacy. According to the chairperson of the Association for Youth Inclusive and Interdisciplinary AI, Nazela Allia Rezeki, “AI unlocks unprecedented economic opportunities for young Indonesians by lowering barriers, expanding global access, and accelerating innovation”

Through the vision of AYC, This article explores how Artificial Intelligence can be leveraged for the benefit of our economy and how it must be used with the correct ethical considerations

Nazela finds that AI can create meaningful economic opportunities for startups in Indonesia through 3 major ways. Firstly, AI reduces the cost of starting and running a business.

Young founders can use AI for market research, content creation, customer service, financial modeling, and product development without requiring large capital. This democratizes entrepreneurship and allows youth to compete with larger companies. Secondly, AI enables new digital-native industries.Fields like ed-tech, agri-tech, climate-tech, creative media, and health-tech are becoming accessible even for students. With AI tools, young entrepreneurs can design solutions for real issues such as food waste, education inequality, mental health, or sustainable energy. Finally, AI gives Indonesian youth global reach. Our generation can participate in global competitions, build AI-driven startups, work remotely for international companies, and sell digital services worldwide.

In short, AI is a force multiplier—allowing young entrepreneurs to scale faster, smarter, and more globally.

While AI can be used on a global scale, one concern that lingers through the minds of most people are the ethical considerations that come with implementing AI into the growth our economies. Nazela says “ Young people need awareness of data privacy, fairness, transparency, and responsible use. Ethical literacy must become accessible in schools, universities, and youth organizations” this vision is the very reason communities like AYC itself were created, they bridge technology with ethical values. Apart from just awareness amongst the younger generation, another key strategy that promotes the safe use of Artificial Intelligence according to Nazela is “ encouraging government, academic institutions, private sector, and youth-led communities to co-create ethical guidelines” Clear frameworks are needed for sectors like health, finance, education, and public service to ensure AI is used safely and responsibly. It is important for us to understand that we can’t be fully dependent on AI, we use AI to support us with our work, not replace it. Nazela says, “ Regular audits, bias testing, and inclusive design ensure that automated systems do not harm marginalized groups. Ethical governance is not optional; it is essential for long-term, sustainable economic growth”

To conclude, AI is transforming industries, but more importantly, it is transforming who gets to participate in them. Indonesia’s youth have the opportunity to become global innovators, ethical thinkers, and community builders. But this requires a balance of ambition and responsibility.

If young Indonesians embrace both innovation and ethical governance, AI will not only unlock economic opportunities, it will help shape a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient nation.