Maintaining the Hope of Democracy in the Era of Artificial Intelligence

In a connected world, threats to democracy do not only come from repressive powers. Through artificial intelligence, piles of data can also become a tool that threatens democratic values. So how can a country anticipate this?

About a decade ago, artificial intelligence (AI) was still something foreign to the world community. Now, the use of AI is increasingly massive. AI is used to process and analyze data to produce something serious or creative, such as photos and videos.

The AI writing site, Writer Buddy, states that Indonesia ranks third among countries with the highest number of AI users, with 1.4 billion visits to AI sites. The United States holds the first position with 5.5 billion visits, followed by India with 2.1 billion visits. In total, there were 24 billion visits to the 50 most popular AI tools during the research period from September 2022 to August 2023.

AI is used for various functions, such as analyzing voices, sorting data, and even writing resignation letters to superiors. The use of AI is widespread across several sectors, including education, health, agriculture, and the military. Its users range from ordinary citizens, teachers, and doctors to private companies and government entities.

In the political world, the use of artificial intelligence is not something new. Generally, artificial intelligence is employed to enhance the image of candidates and political parties, as well as to engineer public opinion through images, writings, sounds, and videos.

In the 2024 elections, for instance, the success teams of Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka are reported to be using artificial intelligence to create the avatar "Uncle Gemoy." Two other candidates, Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud MD, are also utilizing AI for their campaigns, although not to the same extent as Prabowo-Gibran.

Cornell Doug Kriner, the Clinton Rossiter Professor in the Department of Government at Cornell University in New York, United States, stated that generative AI in politics threatens the three main pillars of democratic governance, namely representation, accountability, and ultimately undermines the most important currency in the political system, which is public trust.

In an article titled "How AI Threatens Democracy," he explains that the most problematic aspect of generative artificial intelligence is that this technology floods the media landscape, the internet, and political communication with meaningless drivel, and worst of all, the presence of misinformation.

"For government officials, this undermines efforts to understand constituent sentiment, ultimately threatening the quality of democratic representation. For voters, it hampers the ability to monitor what elected officials are doing and the outcomes of their actions, thereby weakening democratic accountability," he wrote in the article co-authored with Sarah Kreps.

Behind the use of artificial intelligence technology, one important question always arises: is AI neutral? For Tina Harkonen, a senior leader at the Finnish Innovation Fund Sitra, the answer is clear: no. Tina believes that there is a great deal of propaganda within AI.

"Several studies indicate that there is 7-46 percent Russian propaganda in artificial intelligence. It is not about Russia or any other country, but the presence of propaganda in AI is something that is real," said Tina during the discussion "Digital Innovations and Future Skills" in Helsinki, Finland, Wednesday (9/4/2025).

Tina explained that artificial intelligence is shaped by the dataset that is taught to it. This dataset influences the behavior and responses provided by the AI. Therefore, behind the sophistication of AI, this technology holds the potential to be a tool for spreading misinformation, disinformation, or even malinformation.

Unfortunately, many people are unaware that the information they receive from AI technology can be incorrect or even misleading. "In a society where written content is accepted without further verification, the threat of AI becomes very real," said Tina, who has spent decades studying the world of technology and AI.

Artificial intelligence is shaped by the dataset that is taught to it. This dataset influences the behavior and responses provided by the AI. Therefore, behind the sophistication of AI, this technology holds the potential to be a tool for spreading misinformation, disinformation, or even malinformation.

Finland is one of the countries that extensively utilizes AI for various state interests and public services. In fact, there are 96 AI companies established in Finland. The Sitra institution also consistently conducts research and AI innovation to support public services.

AI technology, for instance, is applied in the western part of Uusimaa and Kanta-Häme to record patient data and provide support to the elderly. The impact of AI in these two regions is remarkable as its use can save 30 percent of the working time of 23,500 healthcare professionals. Currently, a healthcare professional in Finland spends 3 hours and 15 minutes a day recording patient information.

With AI, workers can bypass administrative tasks and save nearly 3,100 years of work time. In addition, the healthcare system becomes faster, more precise, and reliable.

The optimal use of AI in Finland can be realized given the high level of literacy among the population and the existence of regulations that support the implementation of this technology. Finland is a country with the highest literacy rate in the world.

The culture of literacy in the country with a population of 5.5 million has become a lifestyle for its people. This is supported by the availability of 738 library buildings and 140 mobile libraries. Media literacy has also become an integral part of the education curriculum.

In comparison, Indonesia ranks second to last in the world regarding reading interest according to UNESCO data. When looking at basic literacy levels or literacy rates, Indonesia occupies the 86th position out of 184 countries. Based on research conducted by Kunto Adi Wibowo and Detta Rahmawan involving 1,200 respondents in West Java from December 27 to January 5, 2024, the majority of the population still lacks understanding of AI technology.

On the other hand, there is a correlation between media literacy and the community's ability to counter false news disseminated through AI technology. According to Tina, media literacy cannot be separated from critical thinking skills, which involve the ability to understand, evaluate, and question information.

Through this ability, an individual can distinguish between writings that contain truth and those that contain misinformation. With good media literacy, the public is not easily provoked by false news disseminated through AI technology.

One interesting aspect to study is that Finland also has regulations that favor the public as a counterbalance to digital power. This country, which is part of the European Union, is subject to the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, which aim to create a safer, more trustworthy, and competitive digital environment for local citizens.

Behind a country's seriousness in utilizing AI, global challenges cannot simply be avoided. Moreover, many AI companies originate from Silicon Valley, an area in California, United States, which is home to numerous companies in the fields of computing and technology. The AI used in Helsinki, or in other cities such as Jakarta or Manila, may very well be shaped by the values of Silicon Valley.

"We cannot ignore that when AI originates from Silicon Valley, the values and rules that apply are those of Silicon Valley, not those of Indonesia, Thailand, or Finland," said Tina, who also emphasized the impact of AI usage on the environment and social interactions.

He emphasized that there are two types of AI usage. First, when an individual uses AI to generate text, images, or sources of information. Second, when AI is applied to an individual or the community, such as by the government, law enforcement agencies, or technology companies for specific interests.

To ensure that democracy functions in the era of artificial intelligence, media literacy and critical thinking skills need to be continuously enhanced. This is necessary not only for children and teenagers but also for adults.

In addition, regulations that are based on the way of life and values of a country, as well as the active involvement of the community in determining the future of technology, are also important. The future of AI is indeed not just about innovation and technology, but about who has a voice in the process.

To ensure that democracy functions in the era of artificial intelligence, media literacy and critical thinking skills need to be continuously enhanced. This is necessary not only for children and teenagers but also for adults.

Amid the global euphoria surrounding AI, it is crucial to navigate the use of AI so that it does not threaten democracy. Those who can operate on the basis of literacy, regulation, and active community participation are believed to not be overwhelmed by the wave of data resulting from AI analysis. As stated by technology expert from the UK, Rachel Coldicutt, "Let us make AI beneficial for 8 billion people, not just 8 billionaires."