Observer Urges Critical Thinking When Using AI

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Telecommunications observer Heru Sutadi has urged the public to maintain a critical mindset when using artificial intelligence (AI) to avoid becoming victims of disinformation.

Heru stressed that people should understand that information generated by AI is not absolute truth, as the technology produces answers based on data patterns and probabilities and can still make mistakes.

“AI can sound very convincing, but it can still be wrong, biased, or even make up facts. We need to develop a critical attitude and not believe it blindly just because the answer is well presented, the language is sophisticated or it is delivered confidently,” Heru told ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday.

“AI can be an assistant for thinking, but it must not replace our ability to think. We should not only be good at using AI; we must also be smart enough to question, check and verify its output,” said Heru, who is also executive director of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Institute.

He also advised people to verify information they encounter online, particularly material created by AI, before sharing it.

To address the risk of AI-driven misinformation, Heru proposed three safeguards: extensive public education, from schools to community groups; accountability for digital platforms; and proportionate law enforcement.

While supporting stronger cross-sector protections for the digital ecosystem, Heru cautioned that enforcement of AI-related rules must not be misused to silence freedom of expression.

“Do not treat all AI content as a threat or as a reason to restrict criticism. What must be opposed is manipulation and fraud, not freedom of expression,” he said.