Jakarta, 12 May 2026 — The Tech for Good Institute (TFGI), in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), convened government officials, industry representatives, and policy researchers for a closed-door roundtable discussion titled “The Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia: Governing Emerging Technologies in Indonesia.”
The roundtable provided a platform for regional stakeholders to reflect on the evolving technology governance landscape across Southeast Asia and to examine Indonesia’s strategic priorities in governing emerging technologies, with a particular focus on AI governance amid rapid technological change and shifting geopolitical dynamics.
The event also marked the launch of the third edition of TFGI’s flagship annual report, The Evolution of Tech Governance in Southeast Asia (2026). Building on previous editions, the report continues to explore how governance policy priorities and governance approaches are evolving across Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
The discussion took place against the backdrop of Indonesia’s expanding digital economy, which continues to strengthen the urgency of developing effective governance frameworks for emerging technologies, particularly as ASEAN advances negotiations on the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), which is targeted for completion and signing in 2026. Drawing on findings highlighted in an ERIA report referencing Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning, Indonesia’s digital economy is projected to increase to 20.7% of GDP, or around Rp22,513 trillion (USD1,4 billion), by 2045. These developments indicate the growing importance of adaptive, interoperable, and forward-looking governance approaches to support innovation while ensuring trust, security, and regional digital integration.
In response, Citra Nasruddin, Programme Director of the Tech for Good Institute, said, “As technologies evolve rapidly across Southeast Asia, governance approaches must evolve alongside them. Beyond introducing new regulations, it is equally important to understand how institutions make decisions, coordinate implementation, and respond to emerging challenges in practice. Through this roundtable and our ongoing Tech Governance programme, we hope to contribute to more informed, practical, and regionally grounded conversations on the future of digital governance.”
Meanwhile, Dr. Aladdin D. Rillo, Managing Director for Policy Design and Operations at ERIA, emphasised that the region has reached a critical inflection point. “ASEAN’s current digital transformation has entered a new phase – the question is no longer whether to regulate, but to ensure institutional frameworks are designed with the market realities they are meant to address. Regional efforts towards meaningful digital economy integration can be done better when it accounts for the varying digital maturity across all eleven ASEAN Member States.”
The discussion opened with a regional overview of technology governance developments across Southeast Asia-6, examining how governments are responding to key policy priorities, including AI, cybersecurity and data protection, and digital platform regulation. The session also explored broader governance trends shaping the region’s digital landscape, including evolving models of digital sovereignty, structural and institutional changes, and regional coordination across Southeast Asia.
“Governance does not only mean ‘governments.’ In a fast-moving industry like the digital economy, there is room for co-creation across multiple disciplines, collaboration between the public and private sectors, and cooperation across borders. This is to ensure we are crafting regulations that are responsive to the needs of our region”, noted Keith Detros, Programme Manager of the Tech for Good Institute.
In her presentation, Dr. Randeep Kaur, Digital and AI Policy Economist, ERIA examined the evolving relationship between AI and data governance, highlighting the limitations of existing data protection frameworks in addressing the scale and complexity of AI systems. The session examined emerging policy considerations related to consent, privacy, data governance, and the growing need for adaptive regulatory approaches that balance innovation, trust, and security.
The roundtable brought together representatives from government, academia, industry, and regional policy institutions for an in-depth discussion on Indonesia’s evolving approach to AI and data governance. Participants exchanged perspectives on current regulatory developments, institutional coordination, and the broader implications of regional digital integration, including ongoing ASEAN initiatives.
Key contributors to the discussion included Theodore Sutarto, Deputy Assistant for Digital Economy, Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia; Prayoga Wiradisuria, Director of Policy and Program, Indonesian Business Council; Hafiz Noer, Expert, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada; Andreas Tjendra, AI National Advisor and Director AI Innovation, Korika; Angga Airlangga, Head of Government and Regulatory Affairs, IBM; Muhammad Faisal, Head of Partnerships and Investment Ecosystems, Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia. Together, they shared their perspectives on Indonesia’s policy priorities and strategic directions for 2026.
As Southeast Asia navigates an increasingly complex technology landscape, ERIA and TFGI will continue to support regional dialogue grounded in research, comparative insight, and the perspectives of those shaping policy on the ground.
About the Tech for Good Institute
The Tech for Good Institute (TFGI) is a non-profit policy research institute working to advance the promise of technology and the digital economy for inclusive, equitable and sustainable growth in Southeast Asia (SEA). TFGI serves as a platform for research, conversations and collaborations focused on SEA, while staying connected to the rest of the world. Our work is centred on issues at the intersection of technology, society and the economy, and is intrinsically linked to the region’s development. We seek to understand and inform policy with rigour, balance and perspective by using research, effective outreach and evidence-based recommendations.
TFGI works in partnership with the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and Grab, to advance the vision of a thriving and innovative SEA for all. We welcome opportunities for partnership and support, financial or in-kind, from organisations and individuals committed to fostering responsible innovation and digital progress for sustainable growth in the region.
More information about the Institute can be accessed at www.techforgoodinstitute.org
About ERIA
The Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) is an international organisation established through an agreement among the leaders of 16 countries at the 3rd East Asia Summit, held in Singapore in November 2007.
ERIA was officially founded during a Governing Board meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat on 3 June 2008. ERIA’s headquarters is located in Jakarta, Indonesia, under a Diplomatic Note Exchange between ASEAN and the Republic of Indonesia. The agreement between ERIA and the Republic of Indonesia was signed on 8 and 13 October 8, 2014, and formalised through Presidential Regulation No. 56 of 2016.
ERIA’s mission is to conduct research and policy analysis to support the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community, promote broader economic integration, and foster sustainable development in East Asia. ERIA also contributes to narrowing the development gap in the region. Its research activities cover a wide range of policy areas, including trade and investment, globalisation, promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises, human resource development and infrastructure, as well as energy and environmental issues.
Website: https://www.eria.org/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ERIA.org
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ERIAorg-Indonesia
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eria_org/
Media Inquiries:
- Keith Detros
Programme Manager, Tech for Good Institute
- Nur Halsha Damira Putri (Sasha)
Communication Officer, ERIA
