During their discussion, Mr. Popovskiy conveyed Yandex's plans to "expand the search engine platform in Indonesia," as stated in an official statement released by the ministry on Friday. This development signifies Yandex's commitment to fostering innovation and technological advancement within Indonesia's AI landscape.
Details regarding the nature and scale of the investment have not been disclosed.
The ministry has not yet provided information regarding the investment's size or timeline.
Yandex, often referred to as "Russia's Google," has not responded to inquiries for further comments. The company is known for developing its own large language models and is a key player in Russia's AI landscape.
However, the growth of the AI sector in Russia is hindered by challenges, including Western restrictions on technology access that could support its military efforts in Ukraine, along with major global microchip manufacturers ceasing exports to Russia.
Indonesia, with its large and tech-savvy youth demographic, has garnered attention from various international tech companies in recent months.
PT Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, a prominent telecommunications company in Indonesia, and Nvidia, a global leader in AI chip technology, are collaborating to establish an AI center in Central Java. This joint venture, with an investment of $200 million, aims to drive innovation and advance AI capabilities in the region. The initiative was announced in April by Indonesia's former communications minister.
Furthermore, Microsoft has made a significant commitment to invest $1.7 billion over the next four years to enhance cloud services and AI capabilities in Indonesia. This investment includes the construction of a data center, underscoring Microsoft's dedication to supporting Indonesia's digital transformation and economic growth.