Ministry urges AI developers to uphold transparency, accountability

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs urged artificial intelligence (AI) developers in the country to uphold transparency and accountability in developing AI-based innovations.

"We urge all developers to be ethical, transparent, and accountable when creating AI-based platforms," Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria said in a statement received on Thursday.

He made this request as a form of risk mitigation, considering that many AI products are being created unethically and are often misused.

One example that is frequently found is AI-based deepfakes, which are increasingly used to deceive victims, resulting in significant losses, including financial losses.

According to him, the government recorded that the losses from AI-based fraud have reached Rp700 billion (approximately US$42 million), and if the right risk mitigation measures are not taken, the losses will continue to increase.

He affirmed that to provide a strong legal framework, the government is currently preparing the National AI Roadmap, which will require AI developers to uphold accountability in creating innovations.

While awaiting a more detailed legal framework, legal action against AI-based crimes is taken with the Electronic Information and Transactions Law, the Personal Data Protection Law, and the Criminal Code.

The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs also continues to enhance education and digital literacy improvement programs to protect people from AI-based fraud.

Earlier, Patria stated that the National AI Roadmap will balance AI technology innovation and protection against potential risks.

He said here on Friday (October 17) that the roadmap will encourage AI utilization in various national strategic sectors, including health, education, finance, and transportation, and will regulate the principles of AI adoption, such as accountability, transparency, and copyright.

The Indonesian government has determined five priority sectors for AI development, which are health, digital talent education, bureaucratic reform, smart city development, and food security, to ensure that digital transformation promotes fairness and people’s welfare.