There is an emerging effort to develop NLP for Indonesias 700+ local languages, but progress remains costly due to the need for direct engagement with native speakers. However, it is unclear what these language communities truly need from language technology. To address this, we conduct a nationwide survey to assess the actual needs of native speakers in Indonesia. Our findings indicate that addressing language barriers, particularly through machine translation and information retrieval, is the most critical priority. Although there is strong enthusiasm for advancements in language technology, concerns around privacy, bias, and the use of public data for AI training highlight the need for greater transparency and clear communication to support broader AI adoption.

This study addresses the persistent challenges of Workplace Gender Equality (WGE) in Indonesia, examining regional disparities in gender empowerment and inequality through the Gender Empowerment Index (IDG) and Gender Inequality Index (IKG). Despite Indonesia's economic growth and incremental progress in gender equality, as indicated by improvements in the IDG and IKG scores from 2018 to 2023, substantial regional differences remain. Utilizing k-means clustering, the study identifies two distinct clusters of regions with contrasting gender profiles. Cluster 0 includes regions like DKI Jakarta and Central Java, characterized by higher gender empowerment and lower inequality, while Cluster 1 comprises areas such as Papua and North Maluku, where gender disparities are more pronounced. The analysis reveals that local socio-economic conditions and governance frameworks play a critical role in shaping regional gender dynamics. Correlation analyses further demonstrate that higher empowerment is generally associated with lower inequality and greater female representation in professional roles. These findings underscore the importance of targeted, region-specific interventions to promote WGE, addressing both structural and cultural barriers. The insights provided by this study aim to guide policymakers in developing tailored strategies to foster gender equality and enhance women's participation in the workforce across Indonesia's diverse regions.