JAKARTA,REDAKSI17.COM – The National Research and Innovation Agency continues to strengthen research and innovation in strategic technology fields, ranging from nuclear technology to artificial intelligence, as part of efforts to drive sustainable economic growth.
Head of BRIN Arif Satria said the agency is currently focused on developing advanced technologies expected to strengthen Indonesia’s economic competitiveness over the next two to three decades.
Moreover, according to him, the experience of various countries shows a positive correlation between innovation capacity—as measured by the Global Innovation Index—and per capita Gross Domestic Product.
In 2025, the top 10 GII rankings were dominated by developed countries with high per capita income, such as Switzerland, Sweden, the United States, and South Korea.
“Research and innovation are the locomotives of sustainable economic growth and the foundation of Indonesia’s future competitiveness,” Arif said at the Presidential Palace complex on Thursday (August 6).
Therefore, Arif said BRIN has mapped a number of technology development focus areas expected to drive long-term economic growth.
First, BRIN will focus on developing semiconductor technology so that Indonesia no longer depends on foreign chips. Second, BRIN will also make AI one of its research priorities to boost national productivity.
Regarding AI technology, Arif added that BRIN has integrated this technology into the implementation of the Free Nutritious Meal program. One of the innovations developed is Food Guard, a smart device attached to food containers to maintain food quality during the distribution process.
BRIN, he continued, has also developed various innovations covering the entire MBG ecosystem chain, from food supply to AI-based monitoring systems.
“BRIN is building innovation across the entire MBG ecosystem chain, from food ingredients, processing machinery, packaging, halal detection, distribution, to AI-based monitoring systems,” he said.
Third, BRIN will also focus on developing genomics technology so that Indonesia can independently produce seeds, medicines, and bio-industries. Fourth, BRIN will develop quantum technology to support future security and computing.
In addition, he explained that BRIN is also focusing on developing two other technology fields—nuclear and space technology—as levers for sovereignty in energy, health, food, and territorial surveillance.
Specifically in nuclear technology, Arif said BRIN will focus on building a holistic national nuclear ecosystem so that Indonesia has independence when it begins to utilize Nuclear Power Plants.
“We are striving to master the entire technology chain, from uranium and thorium mining and purification, fuel fabrication, reactor technology, safety, radiation metrology, to waste processing,” he said.
“BRIN must prepare nuclear technology capabilities from now on, so that when Indonesia decides to enter the nuclear power plant era, we do not start entirely from zero and do not merely become technology buyers,” Arif concluded.
Source: Press Release from the Government Communications Agency (Bakom) of the Republic of Indonesia
