VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian government will soon issue a regulation on the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI), Indonesian Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi revealed on Wednesday (13/12/2023). He stated that the regulation will draw inspiration from a similar instrument implemented recently by the European Union.

"We are currently formulating a regulation that could be issued either as a minister's regulation or a circular letter, according to necessity. The regulation will be issued at the earliest," he said.

Setiadi said that while designing the regulation, the government will factor in the risks associated with the use of AI-powered products and services, with a focus on regulating its application rather than the technology itself. He emphasized that the regulation will be issued to protect democracy, the rule of law, as well as fundamental rights, such as freedom of speech, while simultaneously attracting investment and encouraging innovation.

"Europe has already issued such a regulation. Now, it is a matter of how to implement a similar regulation in Indonesia. We will emulate what developed countries have done to utilize and control it (AI)," Setiadi said.

He clarified that through the formulation of the regulation, the Indonesian government has no intention to reject the technological development offered by AI. Instead, the government is planning to use the regulation to avert potential negative consequences resulting from AI use, he said.

"In principle, we are not rejecting technological development. What we are trying to do is regulate the technology so we can suppress its likely negative impacts," he explained.

In November, Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics, Nezar Patria, stated that his ministry would launch a regulation on AI in December. Director General of Information and Public Communication at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Usman Kansong, reiterated in the same month the government's commitment to ensuring that AI is not misused while supporting its development.

"We need to take a critical view of technological development without being overly concerned (about its possible impacts). It is necessary to develop technology while maximizing its positive effects and minimizing its negative consequences," he said. (Antara)