Deputy minister says AI must be governed to protect society, democracy and the digital public sphere.
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, has urged that artificial intelligence be developed not only for business and technological advancement, but also within strict safeguards to protect social values, democracy and public trust.
AI For Society, Not Just Business
Nezar Patria said on May 26 that Indonesia rejects an AI model focused solely on commercial and technological interests. Instead, AI must be “controlled” to safeguard society, democratic processes and the digital public space, positioning social protection as a core objective rather than an afterthought in AI strategy.
Responsible AI And Public Literacy
For Indonesia, “responsible AI” means strengthening AI literacy so that citizens and workers can navigate rapid technological changes without being left behind. Patria stressed that preparing society and the workforce is essential to ensuring that technological transformation remains inclusive and that AI benefits are broadly shared rather than concentrated among a few powerful actors.
Risks Highlighted In Global Safety Report
Citing the International AI Safety Report 2026, produced by over 100 experts and backed by more than 30 countries including Indonesia, Patria said AI’s rapid development poses serious concerns regarding security, ethics, governance, disinformation and concentrated technological power. AI safety can no longer be treated as a secondary concern, he said, but must be integrated into core development and deployment decisions.
Ethical Use In Public Services And The Economy
The Indonesian government views AI as a strategic tool for accelerating economic growth and improving public services, including education and healthcare. Patria argued that such deployment must be grounded in ethics, fairness and equity within the digital ecosystem, with transparency, accountability and ethical guidelines embedded at every stage of AI design, training and deployment
Global Collaboration And Shared Standards
Calling AI safety a global challenge that no country can solve alone, Patria urged international cooperation, shared standards and continuous dialogue. Indonesia, he said, is ready to contribute to global frameworks to keep AI safe, ethical, inclusive and human-centered, and supports adaptive policies and regulations aimed at distributing technological benefits more equitably worldwide.
Indonesia’s stance, as articulated by Nezar Patria, links AI’s economic promise to a parallel demand for ethics, literacy and global cooperation, insisting that innovation and responsibility must advance together. For Indonesians and Singaporeans, it signals a regional push toward AI regimes that protect democracy and social cohesion while harnessing advanced technology for real public benefit.
Sources: EN Antara (2026)
Keywords: Indonesian Human Centred AI, Nezar Patria, Responsible AI, International AI Safety Report 2026, AI Ethics And Governance, Human Centred Technology
