BKN Head Responds to Potential Civil Servant Replacement by AI
The Head of the National Civil Service Agency (BKN), Zudan Arif Fakrulloh, has responded to discussions about the potential efficiency of the civil service (ASN) amid the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Zudan said that AI only serves to assist the work processes of civil servants.
“AI is a work aid that can accelerate certain work processes,” Zudan said when contacted on Tuesday (25/8/2026).
Zudan said that to date, all matters relating to ASN are still proceeding according to need. He also said there has been no further discussion within BKN regarding the AI debate.
“Everything is proceeding naturally, normally and according to need. It is all reasonable, nothing is urgent,” he said.
Previously, Deputy Chairman of House Commission II Dede Yusuf highlighted the use of technological developments, including AI, in the performance of civil servants. Dede raised the potential for efficiency in the number and performance of ASN as a result of AI utilisation.
This was conveyed by Dede during a working meeting with the National Institute of Public Administration (LAN) at the DPR RI building in Senayan, Jakarta, on Monday (24/8/2026). Dede said the use of AI can make work more efficient that previously required several people.
“If previously we needed two or three people to create a presentation, now it is not necessary,” Dede said.
According to him, digitalisation developments also need to be accompanied by an evaluation of the required number of civil servants in the regions. He cited the example of sub-district offices that currently can have dozens of employees.
“Yet as we know, with digitalisation and so on, perhaps it should not need to be dozens of people. Perhaps 15 to 20 people would be sufficient,” he said.
Dede questioned the government’s readiness to face these changes, including the possibility of reduced demand for civil servants due to the application of technology.
“Now in this context, if we observe, will our civil servants in the future become a mass product or will there be a reduction?” Dede said.