Nurul Arifin: AI is not just a technology, but can threaten state sovereignty

Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Golkar Party Faction, Nurul Arifin (photo: teddy/golkar)

JAKARTA - The threat of artificial intelligence (AI) to cybersecurity is a concern in the Working Meeting of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives with the National Cyber and Information Agency (BSSN), Monday, June 15. Member of Commission I of the Indonesian House of Representatives from the Golkar Party Faction, Nurul Arifin, assessed that strengthening coordination between institutions is the key to facing the ever-evolving digital threat landscape.

Nurul also asked the government to accelerate the development of AI human resources and cybersecurity so that Indonesia is able to maintain its digital sovereignty. He stated that the offensive capabilities of AI are different from conventional cyber threats because the system can adapt, find vulnerabilities, and plan for persistent intrusions without direct human control.

According to Nurul, the development of AI not only presents economic opportunities and accelerates digital transformation, but also brings new challenges that touch on aspects of national security, democracy, data protection, and people's social life.

"Technology should not only be seen from the perspective of efficiency or economic benefits. The development of AI must continue to place humans at the center of every decision," said Nurul.

The development of AI has led to the emergence of new cyber threat complexities that are increasingly difficult to deal with with conventional security approaches. Even a number of world cybersecurity companies have reported the emergence of AI tools that are able to exploit software vulnerabilities at unprecedented speed and scale.

According to Nurul, this condition must be a serious concern for BSSN in strengthening the national cyber security system. He assessed that strengthening technology needed to be accompanied by closer coordination between ministries, institutions, local governments, etc. BSSN must ensure that cyber security standards are consistently applied across all agencies that manage data and public services.

"AI is a servant, humans are the master. Don't let this role switch places," he said.

This DPR member from West Java District 1 assessed that the readiness of human resources was a very determining factor in building national digital independence. The development of AI talent and cybersecurity must be a priority so that Indonesia does not only become a user of technology developed by other countries.

"Don't let technological progress be enjoyed by only a few parties. AI must be a means to improve people's welfare and realize social justice," he said.

He assessed that investment in STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), vocational training, and the development of cybersecurity and AI talent needs to be strengthened to meet future needs while strengthening national cyber resilience.

AI technology can also be used to shape certain narratives related to sensitive geopolitical issues. According to Nurul, this threat shows that AI is no longer merely a technological issue, but also relates to national resilience and state sovereignty.

"The digital space has become a new arena for the struggle for influence. We must strengthen digital literacy and ensure that technology is not used to divide society," he said.

Nurul emphasized that Indonesia needs strong regulations, governance, and supervision so that the development of AI remains in line with national interests and public protection.