AI Boosts Financial Inclusion and Industry Transformation in Indonesia

A panel at the 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum highlighted artificial intelligence as a catalyst for expanding financial services to Indonesia’s underserved grassroots. While about 51 % of Indonesians now have a bank account, fewer than 20 % regularly use formal financial products. Industry leaders said AI can bridge this gap by reaching people with limited data footprints, helping them become visible to formal financiers. Avnish Kalhan, Chief Product Officer of Amartha, noted that many micro‑enterprises already operate but lack recorded economic activity, making AI‑driven data collection essential for broader access.

Across the wider Asia‑Pacific region, AI is also being positioned as a core driver of digital‑economy competitiveness. SAP announced the appointment of Verena Siow as President of SAP Asia Pacific, based in Singapore, to accelerate customer transformation through AI‑powered solutions and the company’s “Autonomous Enterprise” vision. Siow, with nearly three decades in technology, will oversee SAP’s cloud and AI initiatives across markets from Australia and New Zealand to Greater China, India, Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia, aiming to boost productivity and industry competitiveness throughout the region.