AUTOMATION and artificial intelligence (AI) represent a profound socio-technical transformation for Indonesia, which can transform occupational structures and notions of social mobility. As intelligent algorithms and robots integrate across arenas pivotal for the country’s growing middle class, including banking, factories, logistics firms and customer-service providers, the potential for new inequalities emerges if the nation is unprepared.

       As a serious task, the new government elected in the upcoming election should prioritise proactive governance and encourage adaptive strategies to safeguard the inclusive prosperity of Indonesia’s 100 million-strong consumer class through the AI transition.