AI Utilisation Must Be Guided by Pancasila Values, Says Catholic Youth Leader

Artificial intelligence must be utilised in accordance with the values of Pancasila as an ethical guide in national and state life, a discussion heard. The statement was made by the General Chairman of the Central Board of the Catholic Youth organisation, Stefanus Gusma, during a discussion in Central Jakarta on Friday, 5 June 2026. “AI is a tool that facilitates human life. Pancasila is an ideal navigation system to serve as an ethical guide in the utilisation of AI across various lines of community life,” Gusma stated. According to him, technological progress must not diminish the spirit of humanity that forms the foundation of coexistence. He also reminded the audience that humans were created in the likeness of God, so AI development must continue to be directed towards strengthening humanitarian values and mutual cooperation, or gotong royong. “Do not let the advancement of AI reduce the spirit of building humanity and the spirit of gotong royong,” he said. In a separate presentation, Expert Staff to the National Defence Council Sabrang Mowo Damar Panuluh assessed that AI is a technology with a different character compared to previous technologies. The presence of AI, according to him, challenges humans to re-examine their understanding of intelligence and entities. “This imitative intellect is a technology whose nature is different from previous technologies. The symbol of AI intelligence forces us to rethink what an entity is,” Sabrang said. Sabrang warned of the dangers when AI technology develops without adequate control. The main problem is not just the sophistication of the technology, but who controls it. “When AI becomes very powerful in making decisions, who controls the AI? The danger is when AI is controlled by capital. We cannot make capitalism bigger than Pancasila,” he asserted. Also present at the event, Commission I member of the Indonesian House of Representatives Nurul Arifin expressed appreciation for Pope Leo XIV, who through his first encyclical raised the issue of humanity in the development of AI. Nurul noted that attention to the social impacts of AI has not been widely undertaken by international organisations. “I appreciate the Pope because not many international organisations are responding to human concerns about AI which is increasingly driving our lives,” Nurul said. “Do not let the advancement of AI reduce the spirit of building humanity and the spirit of mutual cooperation. If it is not strictly guarded, this could encourage social conflict, even civil war,” she stated.