President Prabowo Outlines Benefits of AI to Alleviate Poverty, Achieve Food Self-Sufficiency at APEC 2025

President Prabowo Subianto attends the second session of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) at the Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO), Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea, on Saturday (11/1). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Prabowo Subianto, Saturday (11/1), delivered his remarks at the second session of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) at the Hwabaek International Convention Center (HICO), Gyeongju, the Republic of Korea. He emphasized that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and high technology is key for Indonesia in accelerating poverty alleviation and strengthening food security.

“As we know that we are entering a new era, marked by high-tech advances, particularly artificial intelligence (AI). We also have to face demographic challenges,” said the President.

In the Indonesian context, President Prabowo emphasized that the Government is committed to eradicating poverty and hunger with swift and measured steps. He considers these two issues as the most urgent tasks in national development.

“This is why the most urgent task for Indonesia and things that we continually talk to our economic partners are to overcome poverty and hunger as soon as possible. We are focusing all our efforts on this. So, we believe that we can reap significant benefits from the use of artificial intelligence,” the President added.

He further explained that Indonesia has started to obtain tangible results from the application of artificial intelligence in the agricultural sector. He said modern technology has enabled national food productivity to increase, leading to self-sufficiency in rice and corn.

“We are now using AI in the agricultural sector to develop modern and precise farming techniques. This has enabled us to achieve self-sufficiency in rice and corn production. Our initial target was to achieve self-sufficiency in four years, but through the use of high technology, precise agriculture, and artificial intelligence, we have succeeded in increasing production to the highest level in Indonesia’s history since its independence,” he said.

On the occasion, President Prabowo also highlighted the importance of international cooperation in overcoming cross-border crimes, such as smuggling, corruption, drug trafficking, and online gambling which harm the national economy. “It is estimated that Indonesia loses around US$8 billion annually due to the outflow of funds caused by online gambling,” said the President.

He also emphasized the Government’s commitment to strengthening education and digital skills for the public. “We want to participate in all APEC initiatives, aimed at increasing capacity in technology and education. We also want to empower small businesses and strengthen our health system in facing demographic change,” said President Prabowo.

At the end of his remarks, President Prabowo emphasized that technological mastery is key to national progress and can only be achieved through close collaboration within the Asia-Pacific region. “I believe this is the direction we must take going forward. We must ensure control of our technological future, and I am confident that through cooperation within APEC, we can achieve this goal,” President Prabowo concluded. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat) (JAS/MUR)