Online Forum Hosted by Klikhukum, Kitiran Foundation, DF Labs, and IKAHUM Atma Jogja Explores AI’s Impact on Democracy and Society
January 26, 2024 – A consortium of leading Indonesian legal and technology organizations hosted a critical online discussion, “Law and Ethics of AI Use in the 2024 Elections,” on January 25, 2024. The event, organized by KlikHukum, Kitiran Pelangi Ilmu Foundation, DF Labs, and the Atma Jaya Yogyakarta Faculty of Law Alumni Association (IKAHUM Atma Jogja), brought together experts and the public to examine the profound implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the upcoming electoral process and the broader societal fabric.
As Indonesia gears up for its 2024 general elections, the rapid advancement and proliferation of AI technologies present both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges. The webinar aimed to foster a nuanced understanding of AI’s dual nature, addressing its potential for misuse in spreading disinformation, the ethical dilemmas it poses, and the urgent need for adaptive legal frameworks.
The discussion was moderated by Neles Tebay, who opened the session by emphasizing the inevitability of adapting to AI. He highlighted practical concerns, such as the ease of creating convincing deepfakes, voice cloning, and the complexities of copyright in an AI-driven content landscape.
Dr. J. Widiantoro, Chairman of IKAHUM Atma Jogja, delivered welcoming remarks, stressing the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration in navigating AI’s societal integration. He underscored AI’s transformative potential across various sectors while cautioning about its impact on employment and the necessity of ethical guidelines. Dr. Widiantoro pointed to the critical role of such discussions in shaping a responsible approach to AI, especially within the democratic process.
Dr. Y. Sari Murti Widiyastuti, an academic expert in law and ethics, delved into the existing legal vacuum concerning AI. She articulated the challenges of regulating a technology that evolves at a pace far exceeding legislative processes. Dr. Sari highlighted the tendency to underestimate ethical considerations in technological development and called for robust ethical guidelines to complement legal frameworks.
Almer Akbar of DF Labs provided insights into the practical applications and development of AI, likely distinguishing between generative AI and conventional AI and outlining DF Labs’ role in fostering AI literacy and responsible innovation.
Sabrang Mowo Damar Panuluh, a noted public intellectual and AI commentator, contributed his perspective on the human-AI interface, emphasizing critical thinking and adaptability as essential skills in an AI-pervaded world.
The forum underscored that while AI offers powerful tools for progress, its deployment in sensitive areas like elections demands heightened vigilance, ethical foresight, and proactive regulation. Key themes included the potential for AI-generated misinformation to sway public opinion, the need for transparency in AI algorithms used in electoral processes, and the protection of individual privacy against AI-driven surveillance or manipulation.
The organizers—KlikHukum, a legal information portal; Kitiran Pelangi Ilmu Foundation, focused on digital literacy; DF Labs, an Applied AI R&D collective; and IKAHUM Atma Jogja, a prominent law alumni association—collectively represent a commitment to fostering informed public discourse and guiding the responsible adoption of AI in Indonesia.
Key Quotes from the Event:
- Neles Tebay (Moderator):
- “This evening we will discuss a topic that is actually quite important and this is in line with technological developments too… we are in a phase or atmosphere where, like it or not, we have to adapt with the various kinds of things that need to be formed as a new ecosystem in the world of digitalization today.”
- “We can change our face to look like our idols, for example. I can change my face to look like Blackpink, for example, even though it’s a bit iffy, right? …That happens, and there are platforms that facilitate that. For example, Komang’s song by Raim Laode can be sung by Ariana Grande. Well, that’s thanks to AI.”
- “But the problem is that it will, for example, develop. People, let’s say, use the song earlier sung by Ariana Grande, upload it, monetize it, it becomes, what’s it called, income for them. But what about the copyright? For, or maybe, what are the rights, yes, from the royalties of the original singer, for example?”
- Almer Akbar (DF Labs):
- “DF Labs itself is an interdisciplinary community. So we have members from various fields. From technology, law, psychology, sociology, and many others. Because we believe that to face the development of AI in the future, it cannot be from just one perspective.”
- “Generative AI is AI that can create something new. It can create images, text, like ChatGPT for example, or images like Midjourney, and sound or music, and even videos.”
- “There are many [concerns], and one of the most highlighted is the potential for misuse in creating hoaxes or misinformation, especially in this political year. The ability of AI to generate fake images, or deepfakes, and also to synthesize voices, this is very possible to be misused to spread false information or to defame certain parties.”
- Sabrang Mowo Damar Panuluh (Public Intellectual):
- “So this AI, in my opinion, cannot be viewed as good or bad first. AI is a tool. What makes it good or bad is how we utilize it. This is the first thing we must understand.”
- “If AI is used to create an echo chamber… where people are only shown information that reinforces their existing beliefs, it can lead to societal division. This is dangerous, especially in an election year where differing opinions are natural.”
- “Whether we like it or not, AI is here. The question is not whether we can stop it, but how we adapt. We need to learn its ‘language,’ its ‘culture,’ to be able to direct it for good. We need to understand AI’s technical aspects, its social impacts, and its ethical implications.”
- Dr. J. Widiantoro (Chairman, IKAHUM Atma Jogja):
- “Good evening… This event is indeed one of our efforts… from IKAHUM Atma Jogja to contribute thoughts together so that we can respond to what is currently part of the democratic process taking place in our country, especially related to the stages of the general election.”
- “But what is clear is that AI has already been felt these days in its various forms, whether in the form of applications, starting from chatbots, virtual assistants, facial recognition, autonomous cars, and others, including search engines… and all sorts of things that are embedded in our gadgets, in our computers, and so on.”
- “Indeed, we are faced with what is currently a dilemma, where on one hand, the development of AI is so rapid, but on the other hand, the regulations or legal rules are still very minimal. And even those that exist tend to be sectoral, not yet comprehensive.”.
- Dr. Y. Sari Murti Widiyastuti (Academic Expert):
- “The issue of ethics in AI is relatively new. However, on the other hand, there is an increasingly large gap, which creates a puzzle because of the general tendency among technologists, namely to underestimate ethical challenges. Meanwhile, laws and regulations lag far behind AI advancements.”
- “Several people even argue that the AI code of ethics and legal rules may never be able to keep up with the progress of AI at this time. A new approach and thinking are needed, and a far-sighted view to adapt to the rapid progress of AI.”
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 KlikHukum
KlikHukum is a media platform operating in the legal field, focusing on making legal information accessible and understandable to the general public through everyday language, to integrate legal understanding into the fabric of Indonesian society.
About IKAHUM Atma Jogja
The official alumni association of the Faculty of Law, Atma Jaya Yogyakarta University, actively engages in legal discourse and professional development.
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