Indonesia is strengthening its position in the growth of the Asia Pacific digital economy. As the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, demand for data centers, cloud computing, cross-border connectivity, and digital infrastructure is also increasing.
These developments were among the topics discussed at the Bali Annual Telkom International Conference (BATIC) 2026, held from August 24 to 28, 2026, at the Bali International Convention Center (BICC), The Westin Resort Nusa Dua, Bali.
Entering its 11th year, BATIC carried the theme “Uniting Ecosystem to Drive Connected Progress” and brought together more than 2,700 delegates from 760 companies across more than 67 countries. The agenda also continued to expand, covering AI and cloud to global connectivity and digital infrastructure.
AI and the Growing Need for Connectivity
The accelerated adoption of AI is driving greater demand for computing capacity and data exchange. At the same time, the growth of data centers and cloud services is increasing the need for cross-border bandwidth.
This condition makes the development of digital infrastructure an important part of digital economic growth.
Telkom Indonesia President Director Dian Siswarini sees collaboration as an important factor in responding to these changes. According to her, Indonesia has an opportunity to take a greater position in the growth of the Asia Pacific digital economy.
“Amid the rapid growth of AI and digital investment across the Asia Pacific, Indonesia holds tremendous potential as one of the region’s most promising digital markets. This potential must be realized through stronger infrastructure, innovation, and a robust digital ecosystem,” she said.
Therefore, the growth of AI ultimately also depends on the ability of infrastructure to keep pace with it.
The Digital Foundation Hidden Beneath the Sea
One increasingly strategic piece of infrastructure is submarine cable networks. These networks serve as the backbone of international connectivity, particularly as data exchange and bandwidth requirements continue to increase.
Telkom’s Director of Wholesale & International Service, Budi Satria Dharma Purba, considers strengthening international connectivity an important part of addressing the surge in demand driven by AI and data center expansion.
“By strengthening submarine cable infrastructure and expanding cross-border connectivity, TelkomGroup is committed to building the digital foundation of the future. Telin is increasingly strengthening its position as a regional and global digital infrastructure player, particularly through its rapidly growing international submarine cable business,” he said.
For Indonesia, this issue has a strategic context. As an archipelagic country in the Asia Pacific region, the development of cross-border connectivity also determines how strongly Indonesia is connected to the regional digital economy.
BATIC Is No Longer Just About Telecommunications
Changes in industry needs have also transformed the face of BATIC. The forum, which originated in the telecommunications industry, now brings together regulators, operators, technology providers, hyperscalers, investors, and digital companies from various countries.
Telin CEO Abdul Rahman Ansyori said this development reflects BATIC’s evolution into a broader collaboration platform.
“BATIC continues to evolve into one of the region’s most influential collaboration platforms, both in terms of its execution and the themes and ecosystems it brings together,” he said.
At this year’s event, BATIC recorded more than 4,500 business meetings involving more than 2,700 participants. These meetings brought together industry needs with various capabilities and opportunities for collaboration in the digital sector.
One of the new agendas was IgnitePRO, an executive conference themed “The Enabled Enterprise” that discussed corporate transformation in the era of Autonomous AI, including AI, cloud, cybersecurity, governance, and digital infrastructure.
The addition of this agenda expanded BATIC’s discussion from the foundations of connectivity to how increasingly autonomous technologies will be used at the enterprise level.
Strengthening Indonesia’s Position in the Asia Pacific
The growth of AI and the digital economy is making different parts of digital infrastructure increasingly interconnected. AI requires computing capacity, data centers require connectivity, while international connectivity depends on networks capable of carrying data across borders.
Through BATIC 2026, industry players, governments, investors, and technology providers came together to discuss these developments while opening up opportunities for collaboration.
Indonesia is positioning itself as a meeting point for digital ecosystem players from various countries by hosting the BATIC event in Bali. As the Asia-Pacific digital economy grows, developing infrastructure and connectivity strengthens Indonesia’s role in the regional digital ecosystem.
