Backbase Asia Pacific 2025 Conference in Bali Highlights AI in Banking
Key Takeaways
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NUSA DUA, Investortrust.id — Dozens of digital banking leaders gather in Bali at the Backbase Asia Pacific 2025 Conference, making artificial intelligence the focal point of discussions on the future of financial services.
The event takes place amid a surge in Indonesia’s digital banking transactions, which reached Rp 88,000 trillion, equal to about $5.5 trillion, in 2024, up 51 percent from the previous year. In the first half of 2025 alone, the figure already hit Rp 47,000 trillion, or double the size of Indonesia’s 2024 GDP. With smartphone penetration exceeding 75 percent and robust payment infrastructure such as BI Fast and cross-border QRIS, Indonesia’s banking industry is accelerating at an exponential pace.
According to digital banking transformation consultant Bayu Prawira Hie, artificial intelligence has moved beyond being a futuristic buzzword. “AI has already become a necessity for banks in Indonesia. The challenge is how to bridge digital ambition with operational reality so that AI delivers tangible benefits,” Bayu told Investortrust.id on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, during the conference.
The industry, however, still faces structural hurdles. Cybersecurity remains a critical concern, while low digital literacy continues to hamper inclusion. Although financial access has improved from 97 million adults without bank accounts in 2021 to an estimated 50 million today, fraud cases have eroded public trust, underlining the need for stronger governance.
“Going forward, the success of digital banking will be defined by six dimensions: data, technology, risk management, collaboration, institutional frameworks, and customer experience,” Bayu said. A graduate with a doctorate in digital transformation management, Bayu is also known for his expertise in medical science and as a governance advisor.
Book Launch and Roundtable
Bayu’s presence at the conference is part of the lead-up to the launch of his new book, AI for Bankers: The Mandatory Guide for Every Bank Leader in Indonesia. The launch, accompanied by a closed-door roundtable with 32 Indonesian bankers, is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, at Sofitel Nusa Dua in Bali.
As a proponent of digital risk governance, Bayu emphasized that AI implementation must follow disciplined practices: selecting the right use cases, establishing robust data governance, applying standardized Machine Learning Operations (MLOps), and adhering to regulatory and ethical frameworks. These pillars, he said, form the core of his book, which he described as a “mandatory guide” for Indonesia’s banking leadership.
The conference and book launch are supported by Backbase, Indonesia Economic Forum, and Investortrust, with international AI experts from Backbase joining as speakers.
Industry Participation
Organizers said at least 32 banking leaders attended the conference. They came from Bank Mandiri, Bank Negara Indonesia, Bank Danamon, Bank CIMB Niaga, Bank Tabungan Negara, Bank Mega, Bank Sinarmas, Bank Raya, and Bank Neo Commerce. Islamic banks also joined, including Bank Syariah Indonesia, Bank BCA Syariah, and Bank Nano Syariah. Regional development banks such as Bank Kaltim, Bank Jateng, BPD Bali, and Bank Kaltimtara also sent representatives.
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