Jakarta, July 10 -- Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria asserted that Indonesia must leverage its critical mineral resources as a strategic instrument for digital diplomacy, positioning the nation as a major player in the global AI race rather than a passive consumer.

Speaking at the Jakarta Geopolitical Forum in South Jakarta on Thursday (July 9), he outlined a strategic vision to weaponize the nation's raw material dominance to secure high-tech concessions from global tech superpowers, amidst the tightening rivalry between the US and China.

"Indonesia needs to use critical minerals to negotiate better access to computing, technology transfer, and manufacturing partnerships," Patria stated, according to an...