Online Forum Mobilizes Experts and Public to Foster Responsible AI Use and Transparency in Political Discourse
December 23, 2023 – As Indonesia gears up for its 2024 general elections, Kitiran Foundation, in collaboration with DF Labs, KlikHukum, and PemimPintar, hosted a pivotal online webinar on December 21, 2023, titled “Law and Ethics of AI in the 2024 Election.” The event, moderated by Noel Bagus Cahyanto of DF Labs, convened key thought leaders to address the burgeoning role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in political campaigning and to officially launch the “SuarAIn” (Voice It In/Let Your Voice In) initiative.
The forum aimed to dissect the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in the electoral landscape, emphasizing the need for ethical guidelines, public awareness, and collaborative efforts to safeguard democratic processes. Panelists included Deris (Chair, Kitiran Foundation), Raihan Ahmad Ahimsa (DF Labs), Nanda (KlikHukum), Alvian (PemimPintar), and Sabrang Mowo Damar Panuluh (Advisor, Kitiran Foundation).
Noel Bagus Cahyanto opened the session by underscoring the webinar’s objective: “The purpose of this webinar is to share information and learn together,” he stated, emphasizing the collaborative spirit of the event.
A central theme was the launch of “SuarAIn,” an initiative spearheaded by Kitiran Foundation designed to promote transparency, ethical AI deployment, and active public participation in monitoring AI use during the election cycle. Deris, Chair of Kitiran Foundation, elaborated on the vision behind SuarAIn: “Kitiran Foundation, through SuarAIn, is a manifestation of a movement that highlights the era of democracy influenced by AI, which aims to utilize AI in strengthening the voice of the Indonesian society to oversee and ensure that political decisions reflect the public will.” She stressed Kitiran’s commitment to mengawal (guarding/overseeing) AI adoption in Indonesia through education and multi-stakeholder engagement.
Raihan Ahmad Ahimsa from DF Labs provided insights into the dual nature of AI technology. “DF Labs is an Applied AI R&D. So we explore and analyze how this technology, AI, can be used. For what? For society, not just for the technology itself,” he explained, highlighting DF Labs’ role in responsible AI exploration.
Sabrang, in his capacity as Advisor of Kitiran Foundation, offered a broader perspective on the ethical imperatives surrounding AI. He remarked on the necessity of understanding AI’s complexities: “If there are parties who feel AI is only good or only bad, it’s usually because they don’t understand what they are talking about.” He further contextualized the SuarAIn initiative by stating, “This SuarAIn movement is more about how AI is used for the benefit of our nation, in this case for the election, so that it becomes something good for us all.”
Representatives from KlikHukum and PemimPintar also shared their expertise. Nanda from KlikHukum discussed their approach: “We at KlikHukum are actually a media, Mas. A media in the legal field that indeed focuses more on language, with our own everyday language. That’s the simple idea. How to introduce, or rather, not just introduce, but how to bring law not to be something distant and abstract, but something that truly belongs in society.”
Alvian of PemimPintar, which developed the “Podium 2024” AI platform showcased during the event, explained their motivation: “So, from there I thought, ‘Is it really true?’ Out of tens of millions of young Indonesians who have achievements, even if they are not recognized in the field of AI, or rather in IT specifically, there are many friends who are indeed skilled in their respective fields. Is it possible that they can’t, or rather haven’t yet, not that they can’t, haven’t yet been able to create an innovation that can disrupt the new way we choose our future leaders?”
The webinar concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration among tech communities, civil society, policymakers, and the public to create a resilient ecosystem against AI misuse in elections. The SuarAIn initiative will serve as a platform for these efforts, offering resources, discussions, and tools for a more informed and ethically sound electoral process.
Key Quotes:
- Deris, Chair, Kitiran Foundation:
- “SuarAIn is not just a strategy. Kitiran Foundation sees the importance of inclusive dialogue in this, ensuring that all voices are heard and become a consideration in the current technological transition.”
- “By utilizing AI in the democratic process, one of the things it can do is facilitate better communication between the government and the public, as well as ensure that public policies are driven by accurate data and reflect the needs of society, of course.”
- “Kitiran Foundation, through SuarAIn, is a manifestation of a movement that highlights the era of democracy influenced by AI, which aims to utilize AI in strengthening the voice of the Indonesian society to oversee and ensure that political decisions reflect the public will.”
- Raihan Ahmad Ahimsa, DF Labs:
- “DF Labs is an Applied AI R&D. So we explore and analyze how this technology, AI, can be used. For what? For society, not just for the technology itself.”
- Sabrang Mowo Damar Panuluh, Advisor, Kitiran Foundation:
- “If there are parties who feel AI is only good or only bad, it’s usually because they don’t understand what they are talking about.”
- “This SuarAIn movement is more about how AI is used for the benefit of our nation, in this case for the election, so that it becomes something good for us all.”
- Nanda, KlikHukum:
- “We at KlikHukum are actually a media, Mas. A media in the legal field that indeed focuses more on language, with our own everyday language. That’s the simple idea. How to introduce, or rather, not just introduce, but how to bring law not to be something distant and abstract, but something that truly belongs in society.”
- Alvian, PemimPintar:
- “So, from there I thought, ‘Is it really true?’ Out of tens of millions of young Indonesians who have achievements, even if they are not recognized in the field of AI, or rather in IT specifically, there are many friends who are indeed skilled in their respective fields. Is it possible that they can’t, or rather haven’t yet, not that they can’t, haven’t yet been able to create an innovation that can disrupt the new way we choose our future leaders?”
About DF Labs
DF Labs is an Applied AI R&D studio committed to experimental exploration and analysis of artificial intelligence and its implications in our future. Through workshops, community gatherings, and collaborative research, DF Labs bridges visionaries, creative thinkers, and technical innovators to co-design an AI future that enriches society.
About Kitiran Foundation
Kitiran Foundation is a non-profit initiative dedicated to elevating AI awareness and fostering responsible innovation in Indonesia. By organizing events, producing educational content, and partnering with industry leaders, Kitiran aims to equip individuals and institutions with the knowledge to navigate the AI era confidently.
About SuarAIn
SuarAIn is an initiative by Kitiran Foundation and its partners, launched to promote the ethical and transparent use of Artificial Intelligence in Indonesia’s 2024 elections. It aims to empower citizens with knowledge, facilitate multi-stakeholder dialogue, and provide tools for monitoring AI applications in political campaigns, thereby safeguarding democratic integrity.
About KlikHukum
KlikHukum is a media platform operating in the legal field, focused on making legal information accessible and understandable to the general public through everyday language, aiming to integrate legal understanding into the fabric of Indonesian society.
About PemimPintar
PemimPintar is an initiative leveraging cutting-edge technology, including AI through platforms like “Podium 2024,” to foster innovation and informed decision-making, particularly in the context of leadership and civic participation among Indonesia’s youth.
For further information, please contact:
Raihan Ahmad Ahimsa
Chief Executive Officer, DF Labs
Email: raihan.ahimsa@dflabs.id
Phone: +62 813-2597-9145
Official Website: dflabs.id | Instagram: labs_df