OECD Accession and AI Governance: Why Transparency Is Critical for Indonesia's Digital Future

Abel Torres
Executive Director, Center for Global Regulatory Cooperation, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

James Llewellyn
Manager, Southeast Asia Program and Oceania, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Updated

May 20, 2026

Published

May 21, 2026

As Indonesia advances its bid for OECD accession, the expectations placed on its digital and AI policies are rising sharply, and the business community is paying close attention. OECD membership is more than symbolic. It signals to global investors and partners that a country operates with transparent rulemaking, regulatory coherence, open markets, and strong institutional governance. How Indonesia chooses to govern artificial intelligence will be one of the most visible tests of those commitments.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently led an AI mission to Southeast Asia, including direct engagements in Indonesia. The message from the business community was unambiguous: credible, well-designed AI governance is central to Indonesia's OECD journey and to its ability to attract sustained foreign investment.

Thus, Indonesia's effort to finalize a Presidential Regulation establishing the 2026–2029 National Artificial Intelligence Roadmap is both timely and strategically important. A unified framework can replace fragmented reliance on general digital statutes with a transparent, predictable system aligned with international best practice. For businesses operating across borders, clarity and consistency are not optional: they are prerequisites for investment, innovation, and long-term partnership.

The Chamber's Position: Risk-Based, Proportionate, and Business-Ready

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce believes effective AI governance must be risk-based, capability-focused, and grounded in intended use. Not all AI applications carry the same risks, and policy must reflect that reality. Frameworks should clearly delineate between lower-risk applications and high-impact deployments in sectors such as healthcare, financial services, transportation, education, and government operations. Oversight should be proportional, outcomes-focused, and built to adapt as technology evolves, not locked into prescriptive mandates that stifle innovation before it can deliver value.

Transparency as a Competitive Advantage

Transparency is not just a governance principle; it is a competitive advantage. AI policy that clearly articulates how laws focusing on consumer protection, data governance, and sectoral safety apply to AI systems reinforces legal certainty, reduces compliance complexity, and reflects the OECD's own principles of regulatory quality and good governance. Businesses need clear rules of the road to invest with confidence, and Jakarta will need to build that confidence to remain competitive with regional peers in attracting AI investment.

Stakeholder Engagement, Regulatory Tools Must Be Central

While the National AI Roadmap calls for the establishment of a coordination task force, a constructive step, the effectiveness of Indonesia’s AI policy will depend on sustained dialogue with industry, rather than one-off consultations. Alignment across sectoral regulators will also be essential to prevent conflicting mandates. Practical tools such as regulatory sandboxes should be deployed to test policy assumptions in real-world settings before broad implementation.

Indonesia's Moment — and the Chamber's Commitment

As Southeast Asia's largest economy, a G20 member, and a natural bridge between advanced and emerging markets, Indonesia's AI governance choices will carry global weight. Done right, a transparent, risk-based AI framework will not only advance OECD accession but also position Indonesia as a trusted destination for digital investment and a model for responsible AI governance across the region. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is committed to being a long-term partner in that effort. As the host of B20 USA, we look forward to showcasing Indonesia’s progress in AI governance and innovation at the B20 Summit in Washington, DC, on November 9-11, 2026.

We stand ready to support an AI framework that strengthens transparency, manages risk responsibly, and establishes Indonesia as an OECD-ready leader in the global digital economy.