Ibas urges young people to think critically in facing the influence of AI and algorithms
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Speaker of the MPR RI Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas) has urged the younger generation to think critically and actively participate in democracy so that they do not surrender their thinking processes to artificial intelligence (AI) or social media algorithms.
He reminded that social media algorithms can shape the patterns of information users receive based on their behaviour, such as the content they watch, like, share or skip.
“Sometimes we feel we are choosing the content. In fact, the algorithm is also choosing what we will see,” said Ibas in his statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.
Ibas made the remarks while speaking at a national seminar titled “AI, TikTok, and Politics: Who Determines Indonesia’s Future?” in Jakarta on Thursday (3/9).
According to him, the influence of algorithms becomes more important to watch when it enters the political sphere, because it can shape public information about government, public policy, prospective leaders and various social issues.
He therefore asked young people not to equate the popularity of content with the truth of information.
“Viral does not mean correct. Information can be shared millions of times, but it can still be wrong,” he said.
In his view, digital democracy requires freedom of speech as well as freedom of thought, so that people become accustomed to checking data and considering various perspectives.
“Democracy requires freedom of speech, but in the digital era we must also have the freedom to think, check data, listen to various perspectives, and dare to say that perhaps we are wrong,” he said.
Ibas also encouraged politicians to make use of social media, including TikTok, to convey their ideas to the public, but not to treat view counts and follower numbers as the primary measure of political success.
“Politicians may become creators, but politics is not about who is the most viral. Politics is about who can offer solutions and take responsibility for the decisions made,” he said.
He noted that a large number of views or followers does not automatically indicate the quality of leadership or public trust.
“Views do not necessarily equal leadership. Followers do not necessarily equal trust. Content is not the same as policy,” he said.
Ibas also urged young people not to remain mere spectators in democracy. According to him, concern for education, job opportunities, the prices of basic necessities, the environment and social justice are all forms of political participation.
“Do not just be a spectator of democracy. Use the available democratic channels to convey your ideas and aspirations,” he said.
He summed up his message in three points: Think Deep, Participate, and Lead, as a call for the younger generation to think critically, participate actively, and dare to take on leadership roles.
“There is one thing we must not surrender to AI, must not surrender to algorithms, and that is Indonesia’s future. Indonesia belongs to us and to the generations to come,” said Ibas.