Key Points
- Indosat Ooredoo and GoTo launched a language model ecosystem for Indonesian languages called Sahabat-AI.
- With context sensitivity, the platform enables AI service development in Bahasa Indonesia and other local languages.
- The initial phase includes models with 8-billion and 9-billion parameters to enhance language understanding.
- Indonesian universities and media groups will contribute to optimizing the model for local relevance.
Indonesia’s telecom giant Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison and tech leader GoTo Gojek Tokopedia have jointly announced the launch of “Sahabat-AI,” a language model ecosystem tailored for Indonesian languages. This innovative platform, launched on Thursday, aims to enable Indonesian users to create AI-driven services and applications that understand and cater to the country’s unique local languages and cultural nuances.
Sahabat-AI, meaning “AI Friend” in Bahasa Indonesia, is designed to support the development of AI applications in Bahasa Indonesia and other regional languages across Indonesia, reflecting the diverse linguistic landscape of the nation.
This initiative has garnered support from notable international and regional collaborators, including AI Singapore and India’s Tech Mahindra, which utilized Nvidia’s AI Enterprise software. The ecosystem leverages Nvidia’s NeMo and full-stack AI platform to train and develop its language model, enhancing Sahabat-AI’s comprehension of Indonesian linguistic and cultural contexts.
In its initial phase, Sahabat-AI will introduce large language models with 8-billion and 9-billion parameters, setting a foundation for a highly capable AI system adaptable to Indonesia’s distinct cultural and social landscape. The development will also involve contributions from multiple Indonesian universities and media groups to optimize further the AI model for local relevance and user engagement.
The launch of Sahabat-AI underscores Indonesia’s growing AI industry, which has attracted significant attention from global tech companies. For instance, Microsoft has committed to establishing data centers in Indonesia, highlighting the region’s potential as an AI and tech hub. This project represents a critical step in advancing AI capabilities and localized applications within Southeast Asia.
