Meet Dewi, The Embassy's New Digital Face
Dewi is an artificial intelligence avatar launched to serve as a virtual guide for anyone interested in India. Instead of navigating complex websites or waiting for responses, users can interact with Dewi for instant information across a wide range of topics.
The embassy has tasked her with providing updates on Indian culture, travel and tourism, scholarship and educational opportunities, business and investment prospects, and key consular services. The goal is to make the embassy's outreach more accessible, engaging, and directly relevant to the needs of its audience in Indonesia. The avatar will be active across the embassy's social media platforms, aiming to bring stories and updates from the India-Indonesia partnership closer to the public.
A Name That Bridges Cultures
The choice of the name 'Dewi' is deeply symbolic and designed to resonate in both India and Indonesia. 'Dewi' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Devi', meaning goddess, a term central to Indian culture and heritage. Simultaneously, 'Dewi' is a common and cherished female name in Indonesia that carries the same meaning. This shared linguistic and cultural heritage is a testament to the centuries-old connections between the two nations. The launch was deliberately timed to coincide with the auspicious start of the Navaratri and Durga Puja festivals in October, further emphasizing this cultural link. India's Ambassador to Indonesia, Sandeep Chakravorty, noted that Dewi was launched on this auspicious occasion to 'guide her followers'.
A Vision for Modern Diplomacy
The introduction of Dewi is part of a broader strategy to modernize public service delivery and governance through technology. The embassy stated that the initiative is driven by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for the use of AI to improve public services. The primary audience for this new tool includes the significant Indian diaspora in Indonesia—estimated to be around 130,000 Persons of Indian Origin and 15,000 Non-Resident Indians—many of whom are professionals like engineers, teachers, and accountants. Beyond the diaspora, Dewi aims to engage Indonesian citizens who are interested in India, whether for business, education, or tourism. By moving beyond conventional communication methods, the embassy aims to create a more responsive and immediate connection with the public.
Strengthening a Strategic Partnership
While Dewi is a public-facing initiative, it reflects the deepening strategic and digital cooperation between India and Indonesia. Both nations are increasingly collaborating on digital public infrastructure, with Indonesia showing keen interest in India's models like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). High-level delegations have met to discuss cooperation in digital development, aligning with Indonesia's goal to become a producer, not just a consumer, of digital solutions. This partnership is seen as a cornerstone of India's engagement in the Indo-Pacific. The launch of a digital avatar, while seemingly a small step, is a visible symbol of this growing alignment and India's commitment to using its technological prowess as a tool of soft power and diplomatic engagement.
