Indosat bets on AI to equip 27,000 women entrepreneurs through SheHacks 2026

Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is placing artificial intelligence at the centre of its latest effort to support Indonesia’s women entrepreneurs, launching SheHacks 2026 with a goal of empowering 27,000 women-led MSMEs over the next six months.

The programme marks the seventh year of SheHacks, an initiative designed to address barriers that women face in accessing digital capabilities, mentorship networks and business growth opportunities. This year, Indosat is sharpening its focus on AI as the technology becomes increasingly relevant to how businesses operate, market themselves and engage customers.

The move comes as women continue to play a significant role in Indonesia’s entrepreneurial landscape. According to data from the ministry of women empowerment and child protection, 64.5% of MSMEs in the country are owned or managed by women. As AI tools become more accessible, Indosat sees an opportunity to help these business owners strengthen productivity, improve decision-making and unlock new avenues for growth.

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Since its launch six years ago, SheHacks has reached more than 61,000 women across Indonesia through training, mentoring and digital learning programmes. For 2026, the initiative has been redesigned to help women entrepreneurs apply AI in practical business settings, from content creation and marketing strategy development to customer insights and operational management.

“Since its inception, SheHacks has continuously evolved to address the changing needs of Indonesian women. This year, we are placing a stronger focus on AI as we see this technology playing an increasingly important role in how people learn, work, build businesses, and innovate,” said Ovidia Nomia, SVP head of corporate communications at Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison.

“Through SheHacks, we want to ensure that women have equal opportunities to understand and harness technology - not only as users, but also as creators, innovators, and drivers of economic growth. In line with our #LebihBaik spirit, we believe technology should create broader opportunities and deliver meaningful benefits to society. With the support of connectivity and AI, we hope more women can build their own ‘better version’ of themselves - whether by starting a business, growing an enterprise, or unlocking greater opportunities in the digital era.”

Participants will take part in a six-month learning journey comprising self-paced modules, webinars, online workshops, mentoring sessions and business showcase opportunities. The programme is designed to be accessible remotely, enabling women entrepreneurs to participate regardless of their location.

To complement the digital learning experience, Indosat will also host offline workshops in 10 cities: Bandung, Trenggalek, Medan, Bogor, Ternate, Bekasi, Pekanbaru, Badung, Singkawang and Sragen. These sessions will feature talk shows, live-selling activities and networking opportunities involving fellow entrepreneurs, community groups, influencers and Indosat representatives.

A key component of the programme will be the introduction of AI-powered business applications through Sahabat-AI, Indonesia’s locally developed large language model. Participants will learn how to utilise the technology for marketing activities, content generation and financial management, reflecting a broader shift towards AI-enabled entrepreneurship among small businesses.

Be part of PR Asia Indonesia 2026 on 15 July 2026 – the first time this regional communications flagship lands in Jakarta – bringing together communications leaders ready to redefine influence, reputation, and impact!

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