Global AI Governance: Discourse and Challenges for Indonesia

Indonesia must be proactive in global AI governance discussions. to be an important player in realizing the future direction of AI.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Tata Kelola AI Global: Wacana dan Tantangan bagi Indonesia

Some time ago, a friend's child at the office who was still at school demonstrated that by simply entering simple commands into the Chat-GPT application, he could do his homework and make book summaries in a matter of minutes. This incident made me think about how artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence/AI) has become an inseparable part of everyday life. Starting from writing e-mails, looking for information, even creating social media content.

Chat-GPT and Dall-E, which have recently been the topic of discussion, are examples of the latest generation of AI (frontier AI). They are not only able to perform complex tasks, but also create (generate) content independently.

Another interesting AI phenomenon is the use of deepfakes to replace a person's face in a video/image with another person's face. Of course we haven't forgotten the viral deepfake video of President Joko Widodo appearing to make a fluent speech in Mandarin last June.

Also read: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity

Initially, AI was developed as an academic study in 1956 at Dartmouth, United States, where scientists gathered to study how machines could learn and solve problems automatically. Since then, AI has experienced rapid development. Even, there is a prediction that in the future AI will increasingly regulate our lives, where humans move more in the limitless dimensions of the virtual world.

However, behind the potential of AI in supporting the progress of civilization, it needs to be in line with the awareness that the current use of AI has the potential to be detrimental if we ignore it. For example, at the AI ​​Security Summit held recently by the British Government, a number of negative risks from frontier AI were discussed that needed to be watched out for. The complexity of monitoring private sector development of AI technology, cyber security threats and illegal access to personal data, and the possibility of AI systems acting outside human control are a number of issues that receive major attention.

In a socio-economic context, the existence of AI will facilitate human performance. However, a number of parties are also concerned that AI will actually replace human labor which will have an impact on increasing unemployment rates. We have seen that lately there is more and more use of AI to perform limited and administrative jobs, such as data entry, receptionist, travel agent, and call center operator.

In a global context, the approach to AI policy varies. In the United States, the focus is on security and sectoral approach, while in the European Union, it is more towards comprehensive policy.

In addition, international organizations such as the UN, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), G20, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are also starting to make efforts to contribute towards joint efforts in the responsible use of AI and in line with the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

National Artificial Intelligence Strategy has set priorities for the utilization of AI, but it must be accompanied by strengthening the legal aspects as a derivative of Law No. 27/2022.

Speaking of responsibility, UNESCO has set an example with the publication of its AI ethics recommendations in 2021. G20 has also issued guidelines for the use of AI. ITU has been organizing the AI for Good Global Summit since 2017 to accommodate the views and interests of various stakeholders in using AI for SDGs.

This process continues to evolve and take shape, including the recent formation of the United Nations Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Body on AI, which consists of a panel of experts tasked with providing policy recommendations related to AI. Prior to this, the United Nations also approved Resolutions 72/242 and 73/17 recognizing the rapid development of AI technology and the need for international cooperation in its utilization.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, discussions regarding AI policies have begun. Indonesia has already established the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence from 2020 to 2045 (Stranas KA) and the Personal Data Protection Law No. 27 of 2022 (UU PDP). This marks a promising initial step. It is important to note that Stranas KA has regulated the priority areas for utilizing AI, but it must be accompanied by strengthening legal aspects as derived from UU No. 27/2022 and its implementation in the form of technical governance.

Indonesia's steps forward

The issue of AI also enlivened the 2024 presidential election, where AI technology was used as campaign material. One candidate is starting to use AI to create animated children's illustrations and cartoon characters to attract the attention of the younger generation. It also mentioned the use of big data as part of campaign policy. However, so far, AI governance policies have not been mentioned as one of the campaign priorities for presidential and vice presidential candidates.

In facing the challenges of AI governance, Indonesia must be prepared to face various challenges, ranging from differences in international standards and regulations, issues of sovereignty and data management, the rapid pace of AI technology development, social and economic impacts, multiple parties involved, and the technology gap between developing and developed countries.

Taking note of these things, there are several points to consider for Indonesia's future steps.

Firstly, Indonesia must be proactive in global discussions. Indonesia needs to proactively propose a flexible and effective governance framework that is tailored to national needs and contexts as well as the interests of developing countries, so that national interests are accommodated in global AI governance norms.

Several developed countries implement policies that are inclined towards leniency in order to encourage private sector AI innovation. As a result, supervision of AI development can harm developing countries, especially in terms of the exploitation of public data of developing countries. Going forward, this also has the potential to increase the digital divide.

Also read: European Union Creates Comprehensive AI Regulations

Secondly, inclusivity. Indonesia needs to use this AI era to encourage the development of effective and inclusive domestic regulations, as well as responsible innovation. The formulation of AI regulatory policies needs to involve not only the government and technology industry players, but also civil society organizations to ensure ethical, non-discriminatory and the protection of personal data of the public. The involvement of various domestic parties is crucial in this process.

Finally, partnership. Indonesia must also promote increased international partnerships to address technological and capacity gaps, to strengthen national capacity in AI. Although there is no international organizational framework specifically addressing AI governance, Indonesia can leverage existing platforms such as the UN, ITU, UNESCO, and even the G20, even at the regional level, to encourage responsible AI governance.

This proactive step will position Indonesia as a significant player in realizing a safe and inclusive future of AI. It is not just about following the trend, but also ensuring that Indonesia plays an active role in determining the direction of the AI future we face and achieving more targeted and measurable protection of national interests.

Febrian A Ruddyard, Extraordinary Ambassador Plenipotentiary/Permanent Representative of the Republic of Indonesia to the United Nations, World Trade Organization and other international organizations in Geneva

Instagram: febrian.rudyard; Twitter: F_Ruddyard