Jakarta (ANTARA) \u2014 The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs\n(Kemkomdigi) has called on electronic system operators (PSEs) managing\ndigital platforms to increase transparency in their use of artificial\nintelligence (AI) and management of algorithms, in order to protect the\npublic\u2019s right to receive information.<\/p>\n
Clear disclosure by digital platform operators would help the public\nunderstand how information is created, displayed and distributed in\ndigital spaces.<\/p>\n
\u201cAI can help people find and understand information, but its answers\nare not always correct. Important information should therefore always be\nchecked against credible sources, especially when it concerns government\npolicy or allegations against particular parties,\u201d said Mediodecci\nLustarini, secretary of the Directorate General of Digital Space\nSupervision at Kemkomdigi, in a statement received in Jakarta on\nFriday.<\/p>\n
Transparency in the management of AI services on digital platforms is\nbecoming increasingly important as AI technology develops the ability to\ngenerate content resembling human opinion, including through automated\naccounts or bots.<\/p>\n
Without adequate information, people may find it difficult to\ndistinguish authentic conversations from content created or distributed\nautomatically.<\/p>\n
Such measures are needed to safeguard the public\u2019s rights to access\ninformation, express opinions and decide what information they wish to\naccess.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe principle of moderation is not about the account, but about the\ncontent being disseminated,\u201d Mediodecci said.<\/p>\n
She said the use of automated accounts does not in itself indicate a\nviolation. Any assessment must be based on the substance of the content,\npatterns of misuse and evidence of breaches under the applicable\nrules.<\/p>\n
The public retains the right to express views, support or criticism\nof the government. Differences of opinion or an account\u2019s apparent\nleanings cannot therefore be the sole basis for imposing\nrestrictions.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat needs to be examined is whether the content violates the rules\nor is being used for actions that harm the public. Criticism of the\ngovernment is part of freedom of expression and must not be treated as a\nviolation simply because it reflects a different view,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In response to allegations that information about forest and land\nfires had been restricted on social media, Kemkomdigi said it had never\nasked digital platforms to remove or restrict content on the issue.<\/p>\n
In light of the allegations, the ministry has urged platforms to\nprovide clear explanations when users experience reduced reach for their\ncontent, including when restrictions result from community guidelines or\nalgorithmic recommendation systems.<\/p>\n
Following public discussion of responses from Meta AI, Meta\u2019s\ngenerative AI chatbot, which were linked to claims of restrictions on\nforest and land fire content, Kemkomdigi has also asked Meta for\nclarification.<\/p>\n
Mediodecci said chatbot responses cannot automatically be regarded as\nofficial company statements, much less treated as evidence of government\ninstructions, unless supported by verifiable documents or\nconfirmation.<\/p>\n
AI can produce information that sounds convincing even when it is not\nsupported by accurate facts. This phenomenon is known as AI\nhallucination.<\/p>\n
Kemkomdigi has urged the public to follow the principle of \u201ctrust but\nverify\u201d: use AI critically by checking sources, comparing information\nand avoiding the immediate sharing of unconfirmed AI-generated\nanswers.<\/p>\n
Kemkomdigi has previously reminded AI developers in Indonesia of the\nimportance of transparency in algorithms and AI through Minister of\nCommunication and Informatics Circular Letter No.\u00a09 of 2023 on AI\nEthics.<\/p>\n
The guidelines emphasise transparency, security, credibility,\naccountability and the protection of users\u2019 rights in the development\nand use of AI technology.<\/p>\n
The government is also preparing to strengthen national AI governance\nthrough a draft presidential regulation on AI ethics and a National AI\nRoadmap for 2026\u20132029.<\/p>\n
In line with these principles, Kemkomdigi is encouraging digital\nplatforms to be more open about their use of AI, clarify their content\nmoderation policies, and provide accessible complaint and appeal\nmechanisms for users.<\/p>\n
AI\u2019s advanced capabilities also include drafting posts, adapting\nlanguage styles and responding to conversations on social media.<\/p>\n
These capabilities can be used by different parties for various\npurposes, including expressing support for or criticism of the\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAllegations that bots are being used to shape public opinion must\ntherefore be examined objectively. The direction of an account\u2019s support\nis not enough to prove manipulation,\u201d Alfons stressed.<\/p>\n
He said polished writing, uniform language or a high frequency of\nposts was not sufficient to establish that an account was operated by\nAI.<\/p>\n
Alfons also emphasised the importance of the government being open to\ninformation and criticism from the public.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government should be open to criticism and provided with\ninformation. It should be grateful,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The public can help maintain the quality of digital discourse by\nchecking information, recognising signs of coordinated inauthentic\nbehaviour and reporting suspected misuse of technology to platforms.<\/p>\n
However, accounts must be assessed and any action taken only after an\nobjective examination, so that freedom of expression is not wrongly\nrestricted.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/communications-ministry-calls-for-transparency-on-ai-and-algorithms-to-protect-public-rights-1792756474", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }