- 17/05/2024
- Category: Commentaries
Author: Achmad Hanif Imaduddin
Editor: Iradat Wirid
E-government initiatives primarily aim to improve efficiency, transparency, and accessibility of government services for citizens [1]. However, research indicates a gap between the rapid pace of technological advancement and the government’s ability to adapt, which often remains incremental [2].
Recent discussions on SPBE focus on advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI). President Joko Widodo even proposed replacing Echelon III and IV officials with AI robots [3]. While this idea reflects an initiative for technology-driven development, the government actually needs to prioritise and consider fundamental technological challenges in Indonesia.
This discrepancy is evident in Indonesia’s ongoing debate on the Electronic Identity Card (e-KTP) [4]. Despite the introduction of the digitised identification system, citizens are still often required to provide physical photocopies, showing a disconnect between technological advancement and its practical application by the government. Consequently, this issue raises a crucial question: how can cutting-edge technologies like AI be effectively integrated into e-government systems?
While ethical considerations and governance frameworks surrounding AI have received significant attention, practical applications within e-government remain relatively unexplored. This commentary aims to address this gap by investigating the potential benefits of AI through real-world examples from other countries and evaluating its current implementation in Indonesia.
Learning from Global Experiences: Embracing AI for E-Government
Khuram Farooq and Jakub Bartosz Solowiej, senior governance specialist and consultant for World Bank, have explored the application of AI in the public sector to optimise its advantages and manage its risk [5]. According to their report, there are three areas to integrate AI into government tasks.
First, AI enhances the efficiency of public services by automating repetitive tasks. The Ministry of Finance in Cordoba Province, Argentina, employs an AI system named Laura to automate bureaucratic processes related to pension fund applications [6]. Previously, public servants manually verified someone’s retirement contributions with the Social Security Federal Administration, or Taspen in Indonesia, to determine eligibility and benefits. Now, Laura directly connects applicants to the database, streamlining the bureaucratic process so that the system can check and verify eligibility directly.
Furthermore, AI can personalise government service experiences for citizens. AI-powered chatbots can answer common questions, assist users through administration processes, and even provide information based on individual needs. This kind of technology has been implemented in Brazil with a virtual assistant named Jaque [7], and with virtual chatbots in Uruguay [8]. Jaque addresses questions and solve problems related to government services while the virtual assistant in Uruguay guide citizens through a digital catalogue of government services
Beyond those advantages, advanced AI utilisation is demonstrated by the Belgian government, which has developed tools to assist data-driven decision-making [9]. Belgium’s CitizenLab, a civic technology company, developed a public participation platform to help civil servants process thousands of citizen contributions and use these insights in decision-making. The platform can classify ideas, highlight emerging topics, summarise trends, and group similar feedback by theme, demographic, or location.
The platform has been used by the city of Kortrijk to process contributions from 1.300 users and by the city of Temse to discuss mobility issues with its residents. In both cases, the platform has helped the government better understand citizen’s needs and priorities, leading to more informed decision-making. From the perspective of citizens, this open and transparent process helps to increase trust and support for policy decisions while positively impacting citizen’s willingness to engage actively.
Meanwhile, countries in Southeast Asia, except for Singapore, generally lag behind in developing and integrating AI into their public service systems due to differences in digital infrastructure readiness, regulatory frameworks, and funding compared to European, American, and Latin American countries [10]. Nevertheless, ASEAN countries have made progressive steps by issuing ethical guidelines and AI governance frameworks for the Southeast Asia region [11].
Unravelling the State and Opportunities of AI Utilisation in Indonesia’s E-Government
Based on Presidential Decree 95/2018, the e-government development stage starts in 2023 and will end in 2025 with the creation of an e-government service portal based on AI. But until this day in the local government or even in the ministerial level in Indonesia, it could be said that there is no single prominent application of AI in the e-government system.
The Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform recently appointed the Public Printing Company of the Republic of Indonesia (Perum Peruri) as the executor of Government Technology (GovTech) [12], a program aimed at integrating digital systems to streamline public services [13]. As an initiative that is about to be piloted in several regions [14], GovTech in Indonesia has not yet optimised the use of AI, but it is possible that this technology will be used extensively in subsequent phases.
By this time, Indonesia only has a National Strategy on AI 2020-2045, highlighting the government’s interest in integrating AI into various sectors, such as healthcare, bureaucratic reform, and education [15]. Legally, this national strategy serves only as a guideline, not as a policy, regulation, or even a law. Consequently, the direction for developing AI-powered e-government and the application of technology in the public sector lacks enthusiasm and firm commitment.
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics has even acknowledged the absence of specific regulations related to AI governance [16]. The government has opted to use another regulation i.e. Law 11/2018 about Information and Electronic Transactions, and Law 27/2022 about Personal Data Protection, despite their limited relevance to AI application. This regulatory gap makes President Joko Widodo’s initiative on AI robots at the beginning of his second term sound even more utopian.
Shaping the Future: Strategies for Developing AI-Powered E-Government
To achieve effective AI integration into e-government, several key strategies need to be considered by the Indonesian government. First, a solid legal framework for AI must be established to provide clear direction for AI implementation in the public sector. Second, adequate digital infrastructure, such as high-speed and low-latency networks must be evenly available to ensure smooth access to digital services for all citizens.
Third, synergy and collaboration among the government, academia, industry players, practitioners, and society are crucial for developing innovative solutions and ensuring accountability in AI implementation. This strategy can be considered one of the keys to successful AI integration in Belgium. Lastly, the government needs to invest in capacity development and education for government officials to adapt to and optimally utilise AI to provide satisfactory services to citizens.
With these strategic steps, Indonesia can leap to the next level in digital transformation and become a more globally competitive government, as the future of the world will be inseparable from technological advancements like AI. As Harvard Business School Professor Lakhani noted, individuals (and governments) that do not integrate AI into their tasks risk being left behind by those who do [17].
References:
[1] Alcaraz-Quiles, F.J. et al. (2017) ‘E-government implementation: Transparency, accessibility and usability of government websites’, International E-Government Development, pp. 291–306. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-63284-1_12.
[2] Bergoeing, R., Piguillem, F. and Loayza, N.V. (2010) ‘Why are developing countries so slow in adopting new technologies ? the aggregate and complementary impact of Micro Distortions’, Policy Research Working Papers [Preprint]. doi:10.1596/1813-9450-5393.
[3] Setiawan, S.R.D. (2019) Jokowi Ingin Ganti Eselon III Dan IV Dengan Kecerdasan Buatan? Halaman all, KOMPAS.com. Available at: https://money.kompas.com/read/2019/11/28/121300526/jokowi-ingin-ganti-eselon-iii-dan-iv-dengan-kecerdasan-buatan?page=all (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[4] Hastanto, I. (2021) Menurut pakar, Harusnya Budaya fotokopi Dokumen Fisik di Indonesia sudah bisa dihapus, VICE. Available at: https://www.vice.com/id/article/dyvz7y/penyebab-orang-masih-fotokopi-e-ktp-dan-dokumen-lain-saat-berurusan-dengan-birokrasi (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[5] Farooq, K. & Solowiej, B., 2020. Artificial Intelligence in the Public Sector: Maximizing Opportunities, Managing Risks. EFI-Insight Governance. Washington DC: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank.
[6] Gómez Mont, C. et al. (2020) La Inteligencia artificial Al Servicio del Bien social en América Latina y el caribe: Panorámica regional E instantáneas de doce países [Preprint]. doi:10.18235/0002393.
[7] Services guide, Observatory of Public Sector Innovation. Available at: https://oecd-opsi.org/innovations/services-guide/ (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[8] Primer chatbot en línea de agesic (2018) Agencia de Gobierno Electrónico y Sociedad de la Información y del Conocimiento. Available at: https://www.gub.uy/agencia-gobierno-electronico-sociedad-informacion-conocimiento/comunicacion/noticias/primer-chatbot-en-linea-de-agesic (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[9] Hello, world! artificial intelligence and its use in the public sector – OECD Working Paper – OECD (2019) OECD. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/gov/innovative-government/working-paper-hello-world-artificial-intelligence-and-its-use-in-the-public-sector.htm (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[10] Bergoeing, R., Piguillem, F. and Loayza, N.V. (2010)
[11] The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, n.d. ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics. s.l.:ASEAN.
[12] Peruri, P. (2024) Detail artikel, PERURI. Available at: https://www.peruri.co.id/informasi/detailInformasiArtikel/peruri-sebagai-govtech-indonesia-berhasil-menciptakan-ina-digital (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[13] Ludiana, F. (2023) Indonesia Segera Miliki govtech, Jadi Lompatan Besar Digitalisasi Birokrasi, Kementerian Pendayagunaan Aparatur Negara dan Reformasi Birokrasi. Available at: https://www.menpan.go.id/site/berita-terkini/indonesia-segera-miliki-govtech-jadi-lompatan-besar-digitalisasi-birokrasi (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[14] Isdarmadji, N.Q. (2024) Jelang Peluncuran GovTech, Kementerian PANRB Siapkan Pilot project integrasi Layanan Digital Di Daerah, Kementerian Pendayagunaan Aparatur Negara dan Reformasi Birokrasi. Available at: https://www.menpan.go.id/site/berita-terkini/jelang-peluncuran-govtech-kementerian-panrb-siapkan-pilot-project-integrasi-layanan-digital-di-daerah (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[15] Badan Pengkajian dan Penerapan Teknologi (BPPT), 2020. Strategi Nasional Kecerdasan Artifisial Indonesia 2020 – 2045. Jakarta: BPPT.
[16] Kominfo. (2024) Siaran Pers no. 189/HM/KOMINFO/03/2024 tentang perkuat tata kelola ai, Pemerintah Gunakan pendekatan horizontal Dan Vertikal, Website Resmi Kementerian Komunikasi dan Informatika RI. Available at: https://www.kominfo.go.id/content/detail/55196/siaran-pers-no-189hmkominfo032024-tentang-perkuat-tata-kelola-ai-pemerintah-gunakan-pendekatan-horizontal-dan-vertikal/0/siaran_pers (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
[17] AI won’t replace humans – but humans with AI will replace humans without AI (2023) Harvard Business Review. Available at: https://hbr.org/2023/08/ai-wont-replace-humans-but-humans-with-ai-will-replace-humans-without-ai (Accessed: 17 May 2024).
