Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Communication and Informatics invited industries to discuss topics on the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI) for optimal contribution to the growth of Indonesia's digital economy.

The discussion was conducted through the 6th edition of the Ministry's Digital Economy Forum in Jakarta on Tuesday, which also discussed limitations, challenges, and the government's position, so that AI can provide maximum positive benefits for Indonesia's digital economy.

"Indonesia needs to take strategic steps, be it in investment for the development of digital infrastructure, the development of the community's digital literacy, downstreaming of an empowering digital economy, as well as utilizing emerging technologies, such as AI," the ministry's Secretary General, Mira Tayyiba, stated here Tuesday.

Discussing the potential of AI and the digital ecosystem outlook in Indonesia to make the digital economy grow is deemed essential since based on a report from consulting firm Kearney in 2023, AI can contribute US$366 billion to Indonesia's GDP in 2030 if it is utilized optimally.

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Nevertheless, AI can potentially be misused that can bring harm if not regulated wisely.

This negative side can be seen in a Stanford University report, which states that from 2012 to 2022, there has been a 26-fold increase in incidents of misuse of AI, for instance, the creation of disinformation and the manipulation of public opinion.

Secretary General of the ministry's Directorate General of Application and Informatics I Nyoman Ahiarna expressed hope that with the presence of the forum, the government and industries can share experiences and views in responding to AI to make the digital economy grow.

"In general, from today's discussion, there are many things that must be considered in regulating AI. We really need to be careful because regulating it too slowly is not good but too fast is also the same. (It is) because the potential for its utilization is large, but the risks need to be anticipated," he remarked.

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Translator: Livia Kristianti, Raka Adji
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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