Kuala Lumpur: Young programmers in Indonesia and Malaysia are being encouraged to develop a Nusantara-style system akin to China’s open-source AI platform, DeepSeek. This call to action was made by Indonesia’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arif Havas Oegroseno, during a lecture at Management and Science University (MSU).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Arif Havas emphasized the potential for technology experts from both countries to create a similar system, citing the open-source nature of DeepSeek as a foundation for this venture. He noted that developing such a system does not infringe on any proprietary technology since it is not protected by patents. “It is not stealing anyone’s technology, and there are no legal boundaries to develop a system like that,” Arif Havas stated, underscoring the feasibility of the initiative with the example of China’s success.
The idea was initially introduced by Arif Havas during his lecture on “Muafakat Indonesia-Malaysia for Economic Growth and Security Stability of ASEAN in the Digital Age Era.” The lecture was attended by notable figures including the Senior Political Secretary to the Malaysian Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, and the Indonesian Ambassador to Malaysia, Datuk Hermono.
The inspiration for this initiative comes in light of China’s DeepSeek AI chatbot, which has gained significant global traction, challenging established models like ChatGPT. Despite operating with fewer resources, DeepSeek has managed to outperform its competitors in various regions, including the United States, due to its cost-effectiveness and efficiency. This development has prompted discussions within the tech industry, particularly affecting big technology stocks in the semiconductor sector.
Arif Havas also highlighted the importance of collaboration between Indonesia and Malaysia in the digital realm, as ASEAN’s digital economy is currently valued at US$260 billion. He projected significant growth by 2030, with the digital economy expected to encompass sectors such as e-commerce, FinTech, media services, and food delivery. Arif Havas remarked, “If you look at the global analysis, Southeast Asia is obviously the future of the economy.,” emphasizing the region’s potential on the global economic stage.