Indonesia is set to establish further regulations concerning Artificial Intelligence (AI), following the launch of the AI Guidelines in December last year. Nezar Patria, the Deputy Minister of Communication and Information Technology, elucidated that the government aims to anticipate AI advancements through a tiered regulatory framework. The upcoming regulations could take the form of Government Regulations or Presidential Regulations.
"We initially issued guidelines on the ethical use of AI. We are also planning the adoption of a national AI development strategy, which could materialize as a Government Regulation or Presidential Regulation. There will be a more comprehensive legal framework," Nezar stated at the IBM Indonesia AI for Business Leadership Summit 2024 in Jakarta on Wednesday (6/3/2024).
The regulations are currently under discussion at the stakeholder level, with the AI Guidelines serving as a reference point.
"We are engaging in dialogue and collaboration with stakeholders. We will observe how the developments unfold," he added.
The forthcoming regulations are said to have yet to specify particular sanctions. However, the scope and instances of AI usage will be taken into account.
Meanwhile, there are already several legal instruments for AI, ranging from the Personal Data Protection Law to the ITE Law.
"We haven't discussed sanctions or other matters yet; we are still assessing the scope and actual cases," Nezar remarked.
Is AI Regulation Necessary?
Indonesia is not alone in enacting specific regulations concerning AI. Several other countries, such as the European Union, have already implemented similar measures.
Hammam Riza, the President of the Collaboration for AI Research & Innovation in Industry, emphasized the importance of establishing regulations. This is to mitigate risks associated with AI usage, such as in the military, biases, or controlling deepfakes.
However, he cautioned against regulations that could impede innovation. Moreover, overly stringent regulations may not be necessary at present.
"But let's not hinder innovation; hard laws aren't necessary right now," he suggested.
Roy Kosasih, the President Director of IBM Indonesia, highlighted the rapid development of AI necessitating such regulations. This is to ensure accountability in AI usage.
Furthermore, regulations are needed to alleviate fears of AI-related crimes, such as deepfake or AI-based cyberattacks.
"Hence, with rapid advancements, regulations are needed to define the responsibilities of institutions utilizing AI," Roy concluded.