Yogyakarta, August 14th 2025─The Center for Digital Society (CfDS) of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), held the International Resiliency and Integrity Symposium (IRIS) 2025 on Thursday (August 21st) at the Mandiri Auditorium of the Faculty. In collaboration with Safer Internet LAB (SAIL), an initiative of the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and Google Indonesia, this forum aims to discuss and respond to the increasing use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), especially in the Asia-Pacific region. The forum is titled “Generative AI and Information Resilience in the Asia-Pacific: Actions and Adaptations.”
It’s undeniable that the use of GenAI technology has become a part of everyday life for many people. While GenAI brings benefits, it is not entirely free from challenges and threats. In his remarks at the plenary session, Wening Udasmoro, Vice Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), stated that Indonesia faces challenges such as regulatory gaps, limited digital literacy, and misinformation.
“We must not let the use of GenAI undermine trust and democracy. Instead, we must strengthen the cohesion between the two,” Wening concluded.
Furthermore, Yose Rizal Damuri, Executive Director of CSIS, stated that we must be able to balance the two. According to Yose, this can be done by managing risks while simultaneously capitalizing on existing benefits.
This also aligns with the keynote speech delivered online by Meutya Hafid, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi). Hafid stated that the government’s priority is ensuring that all citizens benefit from technological innovation while protecting them from threats and risks. Indonesia faces various risks at both the micro and macro levels.
At the micro level, risks include bias, algorithms, and discrimination against vulnerable groups and minorities. Meanwhile, at the macro level, risks include a widening digital divide, not only locally but also globally. If left unaddressed, Southeast Asians will become passive consumers of AI.
“With such rapid dynamics, we must ensure we stay ahead. Indonesia itself has taken various measures, such as issuing white papers and safeguards, and coordinating with various ministerial sectors,” Meutya emphasized.
The plenary session continued with a public lecture from Ang Peng Hwa, a professor from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He explained that AI use at the individual level has several impacts, including decreased diversity, decreased critical thinking, and the increasing use of AI as a “friend.”
To address these impacts, solutions are needed that involve collaboration and partnerships across various sectors, such as companies designing and using AI, businesses, governments, and civil society groups.