Alibaba and GoTo Elevate Indonesia's AI Talent at Hackathon

Indonesia's AI landscape is heating up like never before, and a big part of the momentum comes from a dynamic partnership between Alibaba Cloud and PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia (GoTo). The recently concluded GenAI Hackathon 2025, held in Jakarta on May 24-25, marked a significant milestone in Indonesia’s journey to becoming a regional AI powerhouse. This event wasn’t just another tech competition; it was a vibrant melting pot of innovation, collaboration, and local talent empowerment, showcasing how global tech giants and homegrown champions can join forces to ignite the future of AI in Southeast Asia.

Sparking Indonesia’s AI Revolution: The GenAI Hackathon 2025

For the third consecutive year, Alibaba Cloud Indonesia teamed up with GoTo and the Ministry of Communications and Informatics (KOMINFO) to fuel Indonesia’s AI ecosystem through the GenAI Hackathon. This year’s event attracted a staggering 1,500 participants — a blend of developers, students, AI researchers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts — all eager to harness AI's potential for social and economic transformation[2]. The hackathon was held offline at Habitate in Kuningan, South Jakarta, offering a rare opportunity for face-to-face collaboration in an increasingly digital world.

What set this hackathon apart was its strong emphasis on applying AI solutions rooted in local context, languages, and socio-economic needs. Participants were required to build their projects using Alibaba Cloud’s cutting-edge AI tools, including its Model Studio platform, alongside Sahabat-AI — an open-source large language model (LLM) developed by GoTo and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison specifically tailored to Indonesian and regional languages[2]. This fusion of global technology with local insight created a fertile ground for innovations that matter to the Indonesian population.

The Power of Collaboration: Alibaba Cloud and GoTo

Alibaba Cloud’s role went beyond just providing infrastructure. They actively facilitated training sessions before the hackathon, enabling participants to familiarize themselves with Model Studio — a comprehensive AI development platform designed to simplify building, training, and deploying AI models at scale[1]. The platform’s accessibility meant that both beginners and seasoned developers could dive right into creating impactful AI solutions.

GoTo brought its deep understanding of Indonesia’s digital economy and consumer behavior to the table. By integrating Sahabat-AI, GoTo ensured that the AI models were linguistically and culturally relevant, a crucial factor often overlooked by generic AI solutions. This strategic partnership demonstrated how international and local players can complement each other — Alibaba delivering robust AI infrastructure and GoTo tailoring the technology to Indonesia’s unique needs.

From Thousands to the Final 200: The Competitive Spirit

Out of the 1,500 registrants, about 200 finalists were handpicked to compete in the final round. The judging panel included experts from Alibaba, DS/X Ventures, and GoTo, reflecting a cross-section of expertise from cloud computing, venture capital, and Indonesia’s leading tech conglomerate[2]. The finalists showcased solutions spanning various industries, from healthcare and education to finance and agriculture — all leveraging AI to solve real-world problems.

Winning teams walked away with a prize pool totaling IDR 400 million (approximately USD 27,000), Alibaba Cloud credits, and an exclusive group trip to the Alibaba Cloud Global Summit 2025, an event that promises further exposure to global AI trends and networking opportunities[1][2]. This prize package not only rewarded innovation but also incentivized continued growth and learning beyond the hackathon.

Real-World Impact: AI Solutions Tailored for Indonesia

One of the most exciting aspects of the GenAI Hackathon was the focus on usable, scalable AI applications that directly address Indonesian challenges. For example, several teams presented AI-powered tools for improving agricultural yield predictions, helping smallholder farmers optimize their harvests with minimal resources. Others developed AI chatbots in regional languages capable of assisting users with government services, healthcare information, and financial literacy — bridging the digital divide for underserved communities.

By emphasizing solutions that could be deployed locally, the hackathon aligned with Indonesia’s national AI strategy, which prioritizes AI as a driver of inclusive economic growth and digital sovereignty. As Rocky Liu, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence’s regional solution architect director for South Pacific & Japan, put it, the collaboration is about empowering Indonesian talents to "build something that matters" and “drive transformation through AI innovation”[2].

The Broader Context: Indonesia’s AI Ambitions and Challenges

Indonesia’s digital economy is booming, projected to reach over USD 300 billion by 2030, with AI poised to play a pivotal role in this growth. However, the country faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled AI professionals, limited access to advanced technologies in remote areas, and the need for AI solutions that respect local languages and cultures.

Initiatives like the GenAI Hackathon 2025 are crucial because they serve multiple functions: talent development, technology transfer, and ecosystem building. They nurture a new generation of AI practitioners who understand both the technology and the local market nuances. Moreover, by involving government agencies like KOMINFO, the hackathon ensures alignment with national policies that encourage responsible AI development and digital inclusivity.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Indonesia’s AI Ecosystem?

The GenAI Hackathon 2025 is more than a single event; it’s a catalyst. The exposure finalists gain — including access to Alibaba Cloud’s global resources and GoTo’s extensive digital network — sets the stage for startups and projects to scale rapidly. The upcoming Alibaba Cloud Global Summit 2025, where winners will travel, is expected to spotlight Indonesian innovations on an international stage, attracting potential investors and partners.

Furthermore, Alibaba Cloud and GoTo have hinted at expanding their collaboration beyond hackathons, potentially exploring joint ventures in AI research and commercial AI solutions tailored for Southeast Asia. Given the rapid pace of AI advancement globally, Indonesia’s proactive stance via such partnerships could position it as a key regional hub for AI development and deployment.

Comparison Table: Alibaba Cloud Model Studio vs. Sahabat-AI

Conclusion: A Bright Horizon for Indonesian AI Talent

The Alibaba Cloud Indonesia GenAI Hackathon 2025 has emphatically demonstrated that Indonesia’s AI potential is vast and ready to be unleashed. By fostering an environment where local talent can innovate with global-grade tools and culturally attuned AI models, Alibaba and GoTo are not just hosting an event — they are building the foundations of a vibrant AI ecosystem that promises to uplift Indonesia socially and economically.

As someone who's followed AI's evolution globally, I find this collaboration especially encouraging. It’s