Nafas, a startup tech company whose name means breathe in Bahasa, is addressing air quality concerns. By way of a smartphone app, Nafas collects data from 180 ground-based sensors across 15 Indonesian cities, from parking lots to remote farms. This data supports research at universities, think tanks and selected organizations with plans to reach 1,000 sensors next year. Bhima Yudhistira Adhinegara, director of the Centre of Economic and Law Studies in Jakarta, estimates financial losses at “200 to 210 trillion” rupiah due to factors like decreased productivity and healthcare costs. A 2021 court hearing found the government to be negligent in addressing air quality, highlighting the urgency of the issue. Additionally, MASA AI, an Indonesian AI solution corporation, is reshaping education through language courses. Recognizing that for many, cost is a significant barrier to education, MASA AI has launched an affordable AI alternative, costing Rp 48k per month. JennieTest and JennieSpeak, currently the only two programs launched to the public, are meticulously designed through AI to adapt to, and program around, users’ proficiencies. MASA AI’s vision extends beyond cost-effective education; it aims to empower more Indonesians to study abroad and foster innovation.

IMPLICATIONS:

AI tech companies are having a significant impact on Indonesia, developing new and innovative solutions to long-standing problems. Nafas’s commitment to comprehensive air quality data collection addresses a critical environmental and health issue which has far-reaching consequences. MASA AI’s focus on affordable and accessible education has the potential to level the playing field for millions of Indonesians through English language skills, for example. As AI technology continues to develop, we can expect to see even more innovative and impactful applications. AI tech companies are poised to play a pivotal role in addressing critical challenges and fostering positive change in Indonesia.

Sources:

Sari. Asri., (2023), “Indonesian youngsters launch AI tech company”, June 22, ANTARA News. Retrieved: https://en.antaranews.com/news/286020/indonesian-youngsters-launch-ai-tech-company#:~:text=MASA%20AI%20will%20be%20the,based%20Indonesian%20workforce%2C%20Jason%20said.

Mulyanto, Randy., (2023), “Indonesian Startup Nafas Takes on Urban Air Pollution”, Nikkei Asia, October 2. Retrieved: https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Startups/Indonesian-startup-Nafas-takes-on-urban-air-pollution2