Yusril: Digital Revolution and AI Must Be Grounded in the Principles of a Rule of Law State
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services Yusril Ihza Mahendra has stressed that the utilisation of digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in law enforcement must remain grounded in the principles of the rule of law, democracy, and the protection of human rights.
During a public lecture at Universitas Mahasaraswati in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday (15/4), Yusril stated that the digital revolution and AI are not merely about technological advancement but also concern fundamental aspects such as justice, power, and the direction of the nation’s civilisation.
“The rapid development of technology often outpaces the readiness of laws and institutions,” said Yusril, as confirmed in Jakarta on Thursday.
When technology begins to influence decisions that impact individual freedoms and citizens’ rights, he added, it is no longer neutral but enters the core of legal and ethical issues.
Yusril explained that the use of AI holds great potential in supporting law enforcement, including in case administration management, digital evidence analysis, early crime detection, improving access to legal services, and strengthening immigration and correctional systems.
Nevertheless, behind these opportunities, Yusril said there are various risks that need to be anticipated, such as algorithmic bias, lack of system transparency, privacy violations, and the potential loss of accountability.
Therefore, he emphasised that AI must be positioned as a supporting tool, not a replacement for human roles.
“Machines do not have moral sense. Justice is not only born from data processing but from ethical and humane considerations,” he stated.
Yusril conveyed the importance of building a comprehensive legal framework, strengthening data governance, enhancing human resource capacity, and strict oversight of AI use in the legal sector.
He also underscored the importance of cross-sector collaboration, including the strategic role of universities in producing a generation that is not only technologically literate but also possesses ethical awareness and social responsibility.
Therefore, he reminded that the direction of technology utilisation must be controlled by legal and humanitarian values.
“We must ensure that technology strengthens justice, not displaces it. Our choice is not between accepting or rejecting technology, but whether we are able to direct it with reason, law, and wisdom,” said Yusril.
On the same occasion, the Rector of Universitas Mahasaraswati Denpasar, Professor I Ketut Sukewati Lanang Putra Perbawa, stated that the current young generation is increasingly familiar with digital technology and has high adaptability in utilising it across various sectors of life, from education to government.
However, he reminded of serious challenges related to ethics and data security.
“If in the past there was the saying ‘your mouth is your tiger’, then today it can be said that ‘your finger is your tiger’,” said Prof. I Ketut, while urging students to be wise in using digital technology.
Meanwhile, the Chair of the Yayasan P.R Saraswati Pusat Denpasar, Tjok Istri Sri Ramaswati, appreciated the presence of Coordinating Minister Yusril, which was deemed to provide strategic and relevant insights for students in facing the era of artificial intelligence.
The public lecture was titled Digital Revolution and Artificial Intelligence in Law Enforcement in Indonesia: Opportunities and Challenges.
The event was also attended by officials from the Coordinating Ministry for Law, Human Rights, Immigration, and Correctional Services, including Special Staff for Legal Reform Fitra Arsil, Special Staff for Administration Herdito Sandi Pratama, and Deputy for Coordination of Immigration and Correctional Services I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram.
In addition, university leaders, law enforcement officials, and related stakeholders in Bali were present.