‘Job opportunities will come’: Leaders must prepare workers for intelligent economy, says Jokowi

Widodo warned, however, that existing global systems are becoming outdated. 

He urged international institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and World Trade Organization (WTO) to modernise their frameworks. 

“In this new era, companies, industries, private sector, almost all of them will use AI,” he said.

“That means we must redefine our processes, our systems, our strategies … so we can grow faster … to get better economic growth, better life for the people.”

SOUTHEAST ASIA & THE AI REVOLUTION

Looking beyond Indonesia, Widodo described Southeast Asia as a “global force” in the making. 

He noted that an increasing number of young entrepreneurs are building startups and small businesses are moving online, positioning the region as an emerging innovation hub. 

“Southeast Asia is no longer just a market; it is becoming a global force,” he said. “The next unicorn may not come from Silicon Valley or Shenzhen — it may come from Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Manila or Hanoi.”

Widodo concluded the interview with a call to prepare for the coming wave of AI and robotics. 

“I believe that in the next five to 15 years … there will be a big humanoid robotic revolution (and) a big AI revolution,” he said. “So, we must prepare from now.”

He said that with the right foundations – infrastructure, policies, education and cooperation – Indonesia and Southeast Asia can thrive in the new age of the intelligent economy.