Indonesia’s tech scene heated up yesterday with Salesforce announcing plans to expand its AI services in the country. The US company aims to boost its presence by partnering with local firms in customer relationship management and automation. This matters because Indonesia’s digital economy is on track to hit $130 billion this year, and Salesforce’s move could accelerate AI adoption in key sectors like finance and retail, creating jobs and fostering innovation. It’s a sign of growing foreign interest in Southeast Asia’s largest market.

Adding to the momentum, PT Infomedia Nusantara, a Telkom Indonesia subsidiary, won the Indonesia Technology Excellence Award on October 16 for its AI-driven tools like MyDX Business Process Management and Document AI. These innovations streamline procurement and operations across industries, earning praise for five straight years of leadership in AI, automation, and analytics. Why it stands out: In a region where digital transformation is uneven, this highlights Indonesia’s push toward efficient, tech-led growth, potentially inspiring more startups to focus on enterprise solutions.

On the startup front, IDN Media revealed today it’s investing heavily in microdramas, reporting a 60% revenue jump and plans for Southeast Asia expansion. This entertainment pivot taps into the region’s booming digital content demand, showing how Indonesian firms are blending tech with media to capture younger audiences. Meanwhile, fintech player Indodana partnered with Google to use AI for supporting small businesses in Padang, which could scale to help more UMKM (micro, small, and medium enterprises) amid economic pressures.

These developments underscore Indonesia’s role as a tech hub in Southeast Asia, but uncertainties remain around regulatory hurdles and competition from global players. Watch for follow-up announcements from Salesforce on specific partnerships, potential funding rounds for media startups like IDN, and how AI collaborations like Indodana’s impact rural economies in the coming weeks.