Indonesia hosts AICX 2026 on AI & cyber resilience

ITSEC Asia co-hosted AICX 2026 with Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs in Bali. The forum, part of Bali Tech Week, drew more than 600 participants and 25 speakers.

It brought together officials, regulators, company executives, technology specialists and academics from Indonesia and abroad to discuss artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum readiness.

Speakers included Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, Director General of Digital Ecosystem at Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, and Slamet Aji Pamungkas, Deputy Head of Indonesia's National Cyber and Crypto Agency.

Held under the theme "AI, Cyber & Quantum: Indonesia's Next Chapter", AICX 2026 focused on digital sovereignty, cyber resilience and the effect of emerging technologies on public institutions and businesses.

In his keynote address, Patrick Dannacher, President Director of ITSEC Asia, said technology choices now carry broader commercial and national consequences.

"The decisions leaders make today will determine where their organisations stand in the years ahead. AI is changing how businesses operate, while cyber threats and emerging technologies are reshaping the risks they face. Discussions at the leadership level need to translate into clear decisions on priorities, investment and the capabilities required to operate in the AI era. AICX brings these perspectives together and helps drive a more focused approach to the challenges ahead," he said.

The conference follows last year's ITSEC Cybersecurity & AI Summit, which gathered policymakers, executives and specialists from across ASEAN. This year, the ministry joined as co-host, bringing AI and cybersecurity into the same policy and business discussion.

Policy focus

Representing Minister Meutya Viada Hafid, Abdullah addressed the forum on digital sovereignty and the relationship between AI and cybersecurity.

"Cybersecurity must be treated as a foundation for innovation and AI adoption, supported by sustained investment in people, infrastructure and technology. Indonesia needs to strengthen its digital talent pool and build closer collaboration between government, industry, academia and civil society. Through AICX 2026, we can align priorities, turn dialogue into practical partnerships and develop trusted solutions that meet Indonesia's needs while contributing to the wider region," Abdullah said.

His remarks placed workforce development alongside infrastructure and inter-agency cooperation as part of Indonesia's wider digital agenda. They also reflected policymakers' efforts to link the expansion of AI use with safeguards for information systems and public trust.

Speaking on behalf of BSSN Head Nugroho Sulistyo Budi, Pamungkas focused on sovereign technology and national resilience.

"We can talk about AI, digital transformation, innovation and the future of technology, but none of these ambitions can be sustained without cybersecurity. Security must be integrated into every stage of digital development, from the systems we design to the technologies we adopt. This is a shared responsibility that no single institution can address alone. Government, industry, academia and society must work together to strengthen Indonesia's cyber resilience and ensure that our digital progress remains secure and sustainable," Pamungkas said.

Business concerns

Discussion also centred on enterprise AI adoption and governance issues in digital financial innovation. Speakers considered how organisations should assess the effect of new technologies on business processes, data protection and continuity planning.

Cyberattacks that disrupt operations and public services formed part of that backdrop, increasing pressure on governments and businesses to anticipate threats, maintain operations and restore systems as AI reshapes the technology landscape.

Quantum computing readiness also featured on the agenda, with speakers examining whether current security systems are prepared for future advances. The topic added a longer-term dimension to a conference otherwise focused on immediate operational and policy decisions.

Skills gap

Another recurring theme was talent. Representatives from industry and related organisations discussed rising demand for workers with expertise in both AI and cybersecurity, an issue closely tied to Indonesia's broader ambitions for its digital economy.

Participants also examined the role of public policy, media and private companies in shaping public understanding of AI and encouraging wider adoption. The discussion pointed to a broader challenge for Indonesia as it tries to balance adoption, trust and oversight.

The gathering was intended to bring decision-makers and practitioners together to discuss risks and priorities at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity and quantum technology. More than 600 attendees and 25 speakers took part in the sessions in Bali.