Wishful thinking: Meaningful civil society participation in AI policymaking, innit?

Dengan interpretasi simultan dalam bahasa Indonesia
With simultaneous interpretation in Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia)

Indonesia and Malaysia have taken a step forward in regulating AI. Indonesia recently formed a national task force to develop the Indonesia Roadmap (2025) in support of its AI National Strategy (2020). Meanwhile, Malaysia had launched a National Artificial Intelligence Office in December 2024 aimed at shaping policies and addressing regulatory issues, as it looks to establish itself as a regional hub for AI development. Both countries are one of the first countries in Southeast Asia who are undergoing the AI Ethics and Governance Readiness Assessment from UNESCO, with the Indonesian assessment completed earlier this year and the Malaysian assessment projected to be completed later within the year.

In this session, a panel of esteemed speakers will delve into the valuable lessons learned from their respective countries regarding AI governance. They will explore the existing barriers that hinder meaningful public consultation on the AI policymaking process, emphasising the critical role of civil society in advocating for engagement. The discussion will highlight various initiatives aimed at enhancing AI policymaking, from fostering active engagement with the relevant policymakers or related ministries,  to the importance of transparent public procurement processes for AI-related tools, and the need for a comprehensive repository documenting AI incidents—focusing on associated risks and harms—will be addressed. The significance of investigative journalism lies in uncovering the actors behind these incidents and shedding light on accountability within the AI landscape.

1. Debby Kristin
   EngageMedia
2. Wana Alamsyah
   Codayati/ICW
3. Maria Karienova
   Pulitzer Center
4. Dr. Jun-E Tan
   Khazanah Research Institute
5. Violla Reininda
   Indonesian Center for Law and Policy Studies (PSHK)