Data Security Key to AI Adoption, Strong Authentication Deemed Crucial

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly entering various aspects of life in Indonesian society. As the utilisation of this technology expands, the need to maintain data security is becoming ever more pressing. Data protection can no longer be interpreted merely as an effort to prevent leaks. Data must also be ensured against misuse by unauthorised parties. Therefore, strong authentication is considered a crucial element in building a safe and trusted digital ecosystem. This urgency was a key focus for Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia, Nezar Patria, during his keynote speech at the Garuda AI Impact Summit 2026. Nezar asserted that the current AI challenge is not only related to technology but also encompasses digital literacy, public trust, and the readiness of society to utilise technology responsibly. According to Nezar, the future divide will no longer occur solely between those who are digitally connected and those who are not. A gap may also emerge between those who can use AI productively and those left behind by this transformation. At the same event, VIDA Founder and Group CEO Niki Luhur assessed that the success of AI adoption heavily depends on public trust in the security of the technology used. He shared this view during a panel discussion titled AI for Digital Public Services. According to Niki, public trust can only grow if security and convenience go hand in hand in every digital service. “Digital transformation does not have to sacrifice security for convenience, or vice versa. With the right system design and architecture, the two can actually run in parallel,” said Niki. He gave an example of how ransomware actors utilise cryptography to encrypt and lock data so that it cannot be used by its owner. A similar principle, he said, can be applied to data protection so that important information is not easily exploited by other parties. “If fraudsters use cryptography to lock our data, then we need to lock the data first so that others cannot use it,” Niki added. Once data is secured, institutions must also ensure that access to data is controlled through a strong authentication system. Niki emphasised that the system must be able to answer who is entitled to access the data, who holds the key to unlock access, and how every use of access can be traced. With this approach, data is not only technically protected but can also only be used by parties who genuinely have the authority. Authentication is crucial because nearly 95% of global data and cyber security breach cases are said to be rooted in weak authentication systems. In the context of digital services, authentication can no longer rely solely on users’ personal data. If personal data has been leaked, that information is no longer sufficient to prove that the person accessing an account is truly its owner. Moreover, AI-based fraud methods now target not only faces and voices but also devices, networks, and user behaviour. Niki also appreciated the government’s steps in building the foundation of a national digital identity ecosystem. According to him, Indonesia already has identity verification standards that refer to global practices and continue to evolve through adaptive regulatory support. He is optimistic that AI can be a game changer for digital security, as long as its implementation is accelerated and supported by the right system. “I am optimistic that AI can be a game changer for digital security. The technology is there, the standards are there, and the regulations continue to evolve. What is needed now is the acceleration of implementation,” Niki concluded.