Meet Dewi: A Digital Face for Diplomacy
In a significant step towards digital diplomacy, the Indian Embassy in Jakarta has launched 'Dewi', an artificial intelligence avatar designed for public outreach. Announced in mid-October 2026, Dewi serves as the new digital face of the embassy, tasked
with providing a wide array of information to both the Indian diaspora and Indonesian nationals. This initiative aims to make embassy services and information about India more accessible, engaging, and relevant to a modern audience. The launch was strategically timed to coincide with the auspicious festivals of Navaratri and Durga Puja, adding a layer of cultural significance to the technological advancement.
A Name Rooted in Shared Heritage
The choice of the name 'Dewi' is a masterful stroke of cultural diplomacy. In Indonesian, 'Dewi' means 'goddess', a word derived directly from the Sanskrit 'Devi'. This shared linguistic and cultural root beautifully illustrates the deep historical connections between India and Indonesia. By selecting a name that resonates powerfully in both cultures, the embassy has created an instant connection, transforming the AI avatar from a simple tool into a symbol of shared heritage. The name itself reflects the avatar's purpose: to be a guiding and benevolent source of information, much like a goddess in mythology.
Your One-Stop Digital Information Hub
Dewi is designed to be a comprehensive resource, streamlining access to crucial information that often requires navigating complex websites or waiting for responses. The AI avatar will provide updates and answer queries on a variety of topics. This includes essential consular services like visa and passport information, which are vital for the approximately 130,000 Persons of Indian Origin and 15,000 Non-Resident Indians in Indonesia. Beyond consular matters, Dewi will also share information on Indian culture, travel opportunities, educational scholarships, and business and investment prospects, serving as a dynamic portal to strengthen the India-Indonesia partnership.
Why AI is the Future of Consular Services
The introduction of Dewi is part of a broader push by India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to leverage technology for better governance and public service delivery. Embassies and consulates worldwide face a high volume of routine inquiries. Deploying an AI avatar helps manage this workload efficiently, providing instant, 24/7 responses to common questions. This frees up human staff to focus on more complex and urgent consular cases, such as providing assistance to distressed citizens. The MEA has been a pioneer in using digital tools, from the Passport Seva project to the 'MADAD' portal for grievance redressal, and Dewi represents the next evolution in this citizen-centric approach.
A Model for Global Outreach
This initiative in Jakarta is driven by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for using AI to improve public services. By moving beyond conventional communication methods, the embassy aims to deepen its local outreach and make information more engaging. The avatar will operate across the embassy's social media platforms, bringing news and stories to audiences where they are most active. The success of Dewi could pave the way for similar AI-driven solutions at other Indian missions globally, setting a new standard for how governments interact with their citizens and the world in the digital age.
