The Indonesian government is integrating artificial intelligence into its Perlinsos social protection programme to verify applicant identities and assess eligibility for assistance. According to Rahmat Danu Andika, a member of the Digital Transformation Acceleration Committee (KPTDP), the initiative relies on connecting data across ministries and agencies to improve the accuracy of public service delivery ahead of a nationwide rollout later this year.
Data Interoperability as a Foundation for AI
The government’s strategy hinges on creating interoperable data systems to bridge gaps between different state institutions. By connecting information from the State Electricity Company (PLN), BPJS Kesehatan, and the Indonesia Statistics Bureau (BPS), the government aims to move away from relying on datasets that were previously three or four years out of date, according to Andika.
This cross-agency pilot, which began in Banyuwangi and has expanded to over 40 regencies and cities, is the first time the government has used such data integration to determine eligibility. Officials expect this comprehensive approach to allow AI to generate more accurate recommendations than those derived from a single data source.
Did You Know? The Perlinsos portal now utilizes AI-supported liveness detection during the registration stage to confirm that applicants are the individuals entitled to receive social assistance, a step designed to mitigate identity fraud and manipulation.
Balancing Automation and Human Oversight
While AI is being deployed for verification, the government maintains that technology is not a universal solution. Andika notes that AI models require high-quality, up-to-date data to function effectively, and the system must account for the reality that individual circumstances often change faster than government records.
Expert Insight: The success of this digital transformation depends on the government’s ability to maintain manual appeal channels. As AI-driven systems process eligibility, the risk of technical exclusion—where a person’s updated status is not yet reflected in the system—remains a significant challenge that requires human-led correction mechanisms.
The government also faces the hurdle of digital accessibility. Because not all citizens possess the necessary digital literacy or internet connectivity, officials have stated that AI-powered public services must remain inclusive of communities with limited digital access to ensure assistance reaches those who genuinely need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the government ensure the person applying is who they claim to be?
The Perlinsos portal uses liveness detection supported by AI models at the registration stage to verify the identity of the applicant.
What agencies are involved in the data interoperability pilot?
The government is connecting data across several institutions, including the State Electricity Company (PLN), BPJS Kesehatan, and the Indonesia Statistics Bureau (BPS).
What happens if an applicant is incorrectly excluded from the system?
The government maintains manual appeal mechanisms, allowing citizens to understand why they were excluded and to correct the data used by the system.
How might the government ensure that populations without reliable internet access are not excluded from these new digital verification processes?