Bali Positions Itself as AI Innovation Hub with New Development Center

Bali is set to establish its first dedicated Artificial Intelligence Development Center at the Kura-Kura Bali Special Economic Zone on Serangan Island, marking a significant step toward positioning the island as a technology and innovation destination in Southeast Asia.

Tantowi Yahya, President of the United In Diversity (UID) Learning Hub, announced the initiative during an artificial intelligence seminar titled "AI Applications in Industry and Government in Bali," calling for rapid implementation to prevent Indonesia from falling further behind in the global AI race.

Strategic Location for Tech Innovation

The proposed AI center will be housed at the UID Bali Campus, located within the Kura Kura Complex on Serangan Island in Denpasar. The campus, officially inaugurated in 2022 by former President Joko Widodo during the G20 Summit, was designed as a "Center of Future Knowledge" to foster innovation and collaborate on solutions for global challenges.

"The Artificial Intelligence Development Center should be opened as soon as possible. If we're late or slow in doing this, artificial intelligence technology will have left us far behind," Tantowi stated, emphasizing the urgency of the initiative.

The Kura-Kura Bali Special Economic Zone spans 1,200 hectares and has been strategically designated by the government for three primary functions: residential, educational, and lifestyle development. This makes it an ideal location for attracting tech talent and fostering innovation ecosystems.

Building International Partnerships

The UID Campus has already established itself as a collaborative learning hub through partnerships with both domestic and international educational institutions. These collaborations have led to the creation of specialized research centers focused on emerging sciences, including genomics and artificial intelligence.

The new AI Development Center would expand these efforts, creating dedicated spaces for research, training, and practical applications of artificial intelligence technology in both industrial and governmental sectors—areas where Bali and Indonesia are beginning to recognize significant growth potential.

Economic and Strategic Significance

The development reflects Indonesia's broader commitment to digital transformation and positions Bali as more than just a tourism destination. By attracting AI talent and establishing research facilities, the island could diversify its economy while contributing to Indonesia's technological advancement.

Tantowi emphasized that while Indonesia is starting from behind in the global AI competition, consistent progress with available resources remains achievable. The establishment of dedicated learning centers and development facilities represents a pragmatic approach to building institutional capacity in this critical technology sector.

Originally reported by BeritaBali and Indonesia's State News Agency ANTARA