Jakarta, INTI - Sonny Hendra Sudaryana, Director of Digital Ecosystem Development at Indonesia’s Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi), has outlined five major risks associated with artificial intelligence (AI).
One of the key concerns is the potential for AI to widen existing social and economic inequalities. Sonny warned that the benefits of the technology may not be distributed equally, particularly between communities with access to AI and those without it.
“AI could widen the gap between urban and rural areas, between people who have access to AI and those who do not, as well as between the rich and the poor,” Sonny said during the Best Digital Finance Awards 2026 organized by Warta Ekonomi on Friday, October 30, 2026.
Another major risk involves data security and privacy protection. The use of AI requires processing large volumes of data, creating additional challenges related to information security and potential data misuse.
AI-Enabled Fraud and Information Pollution Raise New Concerns
Sonny also highlighted the growing threat of AI-enabled fraud. The technology allows perpetrators to create manipulated content, including synthetic videos and voice recordings, to deceive unsuspecting victims.
“AI enables fraud. A friend of mine once received a video call from Raffi Ahmad. It turned out that AI was being used to conduct a video-call scam,” Sonny said.
Beyond fraud, AI could also worsen information pollution. Its ability to generate content rapidly can be exploited to spread misleading information and hoaxes on a much larger scale.
“Everyone suddenly becomes an expert. Hoaxes are increasing and becoming easier to spread with AI,” he remarked.
Another concern involves data sovereignty and control. Sonny identified this as a critical challenge for Indonesia as it develops its AI ecosystem, particularly regarding who controls the data used and processed by these technologies.
Furthermore, Sonny highlighted social and cultural impacts as another area requiring attention as AI technology continues to advance.
Conclusion
The growing adoption of AI presents significant opportunities for Indonesia, but it also introduces risks that require careful attention. From widening digital inequality and data security threats to AI-enabled fraud, misinformation, and data sovereignty challenges, these issues highlight the importance of responsible AI governance. Strengthening regulations, public awareness, and data protection will be essential to ensuring that AI development benefits society without compromising security and social stability.
Read more: Telkom Highlights Data and Talent Readiness as Critical Drivers of Enterprise AI Adoption