Heaptalk, Jakarta — The Ministry of Information Technology and Communication (Kominfo) together with UNESCO coined an initiative to measure the archipelago’s readiness in developing and adopting AI which aligns with global ethics standard. The evaluation utilizes AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) that was developed by UNESCO.
The Vice Minister of Kominfo Nezar Patria, during the kickoff of RAM, stated, “Our partnership with UNESCO to carry out RAM intends to support UNESCO recommendation of ethical AI Governance that is comply with the recommendation.
He said RAM is created by UNESCO to review the country’s readiness to comply with the set ethical standard. Applying this methodology, UNESCO will interview various stakeholders in Indonesia’s AI ecosystem.
“They will see several aspects, such as socio-economy, technology, the existing regulation, and society’s readiness in adopting this technology,” voiced Nezar.
According to Nezar, the launch date of this agenda is moved forward, from June into late May and will be finalized on September this year.
“Starting from this launch, we can go to the drafting process. We are in the fast track. Normally, RAM is carried out for six months. But UNESCO is committed to us to finalize this on last September,” stated Kominfo’s Vice Minister Nizar.
Regarding this short due date, the Director of UNESCO Jakarta, Maki Katsuno Hayashikawa, stated, “I believe that the methodology is only the first step on the adoption of ethical AI strategy in Indonesia. The time is very short but the country already has strong foundation in this field. I believe that Indonesia will be the role model in this field as well.”
She added that about 194 members that UNESCO has, over 60 to 70 countries have launched the RAM, but Indonesia will be the first in SEA and in APAC.
Align with Maki Katsuno’s statement, Gita Sabharwal, the UN Resident Coordinator in Indonesia who also attended the kickoff stated, “The partnership of the UN, together with Kominfo, and the UNESCO commission is critical for undertaking the RAM which is the first in SEA and we’ll become a role model for Asia. So Indonesia is the leadership in this.
