JAKARTA, February 9, 2026, 19:00 WIB
- IBM and Meta took their AI Alliance into Indonesia, rolling out open-source AI tools and offering training.
- Indonesia is ramping up its AI ambitions, though plenty of companies remain unsure what returns they’ll actually get.
- IBM’s planned acquisition of Confluent is currently under review by Australia’s competition watchdog.
IBM and Meta are bringing their AI Alliance to Indonesia, ramping up efforts to promote open-source artificial intelligence—where anyone can see and tweak the code. The alliance’s reach is now 29 countries, 195 members. According to a recent IBM CEO Study, 61% of Indonesian firms are using “AI agents,” tools built to handle tasks and planning. Still, just 27% reported their latest AI systems hit the ROI they were aiming for, Tech in Asia said. techinasia.com
Indonesia has positioned AI as a key driver for growth, and the UN’s development agency estimates that AI-driven investments might boost GDP by roughly $366 billion by 2030. On the ground, though, the lofty projections run into practical snags—tight data regulations, not enough trained talent, and basic doubts about whether the technology delivers returns.
Indonesia’s chapter is set to prioritize open-source AI tools and education, aiming to broaden access and tackle issues like privacy, cybersecurity, bias, and accountability, according to SWA.co.id. IBM ASEAN’s general manager and technology lead, Catherine Lian, called Indonesia “one of the most dynamic digital economies in Southeast Asia” and said IBM is eager to collaborate with local partners to spur innovation and responsible AI use. Over at Meta, public policy chief Berni Moestafa described the initiative’s goal as making AI “more accessible, safe, and beneficial for all.” Christopher Nguyen, Aitomatic CEO and member of the AI Alliance board, said the group is backing Indonesia’s push for “AI sovereignty” through greater openness. swa.co.id
IBM and Meta kicked off the AI Alliance back in December 2023, pulling in over 50 founding members and positioning it as a global push for “open, safe, responsible” AI. At the time, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna called it a “pivotal” moment for steering AI’s future, while Meta’s Nick Clegg maintained that open development lets more people contribute on both products and safety fronts. newsroom.ibm.com
IBM’s Indonesia bid surfaces as the company looks to bolster its AI stack through a series of deals and alliances. Back in December, IBM struck a $31-per-share agreement to acquire Confluent, putting an $11 billion tag on the data-streaming specialist. The company said the Confluent deal should make it easier for enterprises to link up and control data for generative AI and so-called “agentic” systems—AI agents that handle tasks across different apps and workflows. newsroom.ibm.com
The Confluent acquisition isn’t a done deal yet. Australia’s ACCC still has the IBM bid “under assessment” and wants feedback via its questionnaire by Feb. 12. The regulator’s register lists March 19 as the end of its determination period. Any regulatory hiccups in key markets—delays, pushback, or added terms—could throw off IBM’s planned mid-2026 closing. accc.gov.au
IBM shares climbed roughly 3.1% before the bell Monday. Confluent’s stock also ticked higher, up around 0.7% in premarket action.
Indonesia is drawing major tech investment as surging demand for cloud and AI attracts IBM and Meta, both ramping up their open-source efforts in a landscape already packed with Microsoft, Alphabet’s Google, and Amazon. Microsoft had earlier rolled out a $1.7 billion plan targeting cloud and AI infrastructure along with workforce training in the country.
The thinking behind the alliance is clear enough—open software promises lower costs and gives local developers and institutions room to tweak models for their own languages and regulations, instead of relying on one vendor’s timeline. Still, it’s hardly neat. Open ecosystems tend to splinter, and governments are uneasy about tools moving faster than regulations can keep pace.
