Indonesia Champions Ethical AI and Digital Sovereignty at UNESCO Forum

Indonesia Shares Insights on AI Readiness at UNESCO Forum

At the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence held in Bangkok, Indonesia presented its experience with the Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Methodology (AI-RAM). Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Nezar Patria, participated in a high-level session titled “From Readiness Assessment to Enhanced Institutional, Technical, and Human Capacities on AI.”

Patria highlighted how AI-RAM provided a comprehensive assessment of Indonesia's AI development across multiple dimensions, including legal, social, scientific, economic, and technological factors. This process was supported by multi-stakeholder workshops conducted in Jakarta, Aceh, Balikpapan, and Makassar, which helped build a shared understanding of the country’s diverse needs and expectations.

Balancing Technology Adoption with Digital Sovereignty

While AI-RAM emphasizes technology adoption, Indonesia recognizes the need to align AI development with strategic goals for digital sovereignty. According to Patria, the next critical step is to evaluate the country’s readiness for digital technology sovereignty—a deeper strategic approach that will shape Indonesia’s position in the global digital arena.

Focus on Ethics, Public Engagement, and Sector-Specific Policies

Indonesia also stressed the importance of AI ethics education and public engagement. The country advocates for clear, sector-specific policies in key areas such as healthcare, education, and bureaucratic reform. These measures aim to ensure that AI implementation respects ethical standards and delivers tangible benefits to society.

Regional Cooperation and Ethical Impact Assessments

During the forum, Indonesia called for stronger regional collaboration among Global South countries. The emphasis was on sharing values, ethical standards, and knowledge to foster responsible AI development. Indonesia also encouraged the integration of ethical impact assessments into all multilateral AI initiatives to safeguard human rights and social justice.

This year’s UNESCO AI Ethics Forum focused on boosting global cooperation to ensure technology supports human rights, social justice, and sustainability. Indonesia remains committed to contributing strategically to the global AI landscape, with particular attention to the needs and interests of Global South nations.

• Comprehensive AI readiness evaluation
• Alignment with digital sovereignty goals
• Emphasis on AI ethics education and public engagement
• Sector-specific AI policy development
• Promotion of regional cooperation and ethical impact assessments

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