The development of Artificial Intelligence is no longer merely a technology topic but a force reshaping how people communicate, produce information, and form public opinion. Amid this tide, the line between fact and manipulation is growing thinner, raising fundamental questions about ethics and legal protection.
In practice, AI enables automated content production, personalized messaging, and even the creation of synthetic realities such as deepfakes. This convenience opens major opportunities for the media and communications industry, but also brings new risks, from disinformation to privacy violations.
These issues call for an approach that is not merely technological but also normative. An ethical perspective is important to ensure that the use of AI remains grounded in the values of truth, transparency, and responsibility. At the same time, legal frameworks are required to be adaptive so they can keep pace with ever-advancing innovation.
Awareness of this complexity has prompted various parties to open space for public dialogue. One such effort is the talk show titled “AI for the Nation’s Youth,” organized by Unhas TV in cooperation with TV Tempo, held at the Main Studio of Unhas TV, 2nd floor of the BRI Microfinance Building, on Monday (20 April).
Unhas Rector Prof. Dr. Ir. Jamaluddin Jompa, M.Sc., explained that universities have a strategic role as spaces for producing knowledge and as guardians of values. Unhas treats digital literacy as an important part of equipping students to face technological disruption. The Rector stressed the importance of balancing mastery of technology with ethical awareness.
“Students, as the younger generation, must be able to understand and use this technology wisely for the future,” Prof JJ explained.
From the media industry’s side, Anton Aprianto, Director of TV Tempo, views AI-based transformation as inevitable. According to Anton, adapting to technology must go hand in hand with improving public literacy. To that end, Anton emphasized the importance of collective awareness in responding to this disruption.
“AI has many benefits, but it also presents challenges that must be understood together. Through this forum, we want to build broader public awareness,” Anton explained.
After the opening remarks, the event continued with presentations by the speakers: Prof. Yudho Giri Sucahyo, S.Kom., M.Kom., Ph.D., CDPSE, CEH, CISA, CISM (Professor at the Faculty of Computer Science, Universitas Indonesia), Dr. Hasrullah, MA (Lecturer in Communication Studies), and M.Reza Suarga (AI Content Creator).
On this occasion, the speakers highlighted the rapid development of AI technology, which has in fact existed since the 1980s. However, it has only recently seen significant development and come into wide use in today’s digital era. (*/mir)
Editor: Ishaq Rahman
This article is an English translation of the original Indonesian report.