AMSI Holds IDC 2023, Discusses AI as New Challenge for Media Business

Dream - The Indonesian Association of Online Media (AMSI) kicked off the annual Indonesia Digital Conference (IDC) and AMSI Awards 2023 at Hotel El Royale, Bandung, West Java on August 22-23, 2023.

IDC 2023 takes the theme "Artificial Intelligence for Business Transformation: Ethical Challenges, Innovation, Productivity, and Competitiveness in Various Sectors." IDC 2023 presents five discussion sessions and master classes over the course of two days.

Indonesia Digital Conference (IDC) and AMSI Awards 2023 are annual events organized by the Indonesian Association of Online Media (AMSI) with support from Internews and USAID MEDIA.

IDC 2023 was opened by Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics Nezar Patria, AMSI General Chairman Wenseslaus Manggut, AMSI Secretary General Wahyu Dhyatmika, USAID Mission Director Jeffrey P Cohen, and Acting General Assistant of West Java Regional Secretariat Berli Hamdani representing West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil.

"This conference provides valuable insights and strategies for navigating the digital landscape, combating misinformation, and strengthening the media to drive positive change," said USAID Indonesia Director Jeffrey P. Cohen.

Jeffrey invites everyone to continue working together to uphold democratic values, safeguard press freedom, and build a more accountable and transparent society.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics Nezar Patria said that the theme of IDC 2023 is quite interesting, which is about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on business transformation.

However, Nezar said there is one more interesting thing that needs to be discussed, which is the impact of AI on the media industry.

"Besides providing positive impacts, AI can also potentially cause concerns about its negative effects. These (negative effects) are what we need to anticipate in the future," said Nezar.

Nezar explained that the impact of AI utilization in journalism is not yet significant, although the use of AI in journalism activities is becoming more apparent. In the coming years, according to Nezar, the public will enjoy media works produced by AI or a combination of AI.

"The trend of AI usage by the journalism industry includes image recognition for automatic tagging, summarization, converting verbal information into text, managing social media content distribution tasks, and providing content personalization to enhance engagement," he said.

However, according to Nezar, there are also several contemporary issues in the utilization of AI. These include the potential for AI to cause analysis errors resulting in misinformation, challenges in protecting copyright, bias in AI implementation, and understanding human values.

"I think AI has two sides, the positive side and the negative side. The government is currently monitoring the use of AI. In addition to examining the positive side of AI, the government is also anticipating the risks of its negative side through regulations," he said.

AMSI General Chairman Wenseslaus Manggut stated that this IDC focuses on artificial intelligence or AI. In this year's IDC, they will also discuss the opportunities and challenges with the emergence of AI.

According to Wens, AI can be used in various fields, including journalism. Because currently, many new platforms continue to emerge.

"This is what drives AMSI to continue advocating for publisher rights before they lose their relevance. Because the relationship is still strong, and their business is our business. Let's examine the advantages and disadvantages of AI," said Wenseslaus.

Discussing AI and its relevance to various aspects

The first day of the Indonesia Digital Conference (IDC) 2023 featured a panel session on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in various fields, including AI for business transformation, public services, and banking/finance, AI for media, telecommunications, and digital.

The panel on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business transformation was moderated by Citra Dyah Prastuti (Editor-in-Chief of KBR) with panelists Fajrin Rasyid (Director of Digital Business at Telkom), Ignatius Sigit Pratopo (SVP Integrated Data & Command Center at Pertamina), Meidy Fitranto (CEO of Nodeflux), Ari Rahmat Indra Cahyadi (CEO of PT PLN Icon Plus).

The panel on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public services was moderated by Gaib Maruto Sigit (Editor-in-Chief of MNC Trijaya) and featured panelists Luky Djani (CEO of Pemilu.AI), Davyn Sudirdjo (Founder of Masa AI), and Ayu Purwarianti (Head of AI Lab ITB).

The first day of IDC 2023 concluded with a panel discussion on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the banking/financial sector, moderated by Ellin Kristanti (Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Liputan6.com). The panel, which lasted for 2 hours, featured panelists Tigor Siahaan (CEO of Super Bank), Sankata Lee (VP IT Strategic, Architecture & Innovation Head at BNI), Dyah NK Makhijani (Indonesia Fintech Society), and Chaerany Putri (Director of Public Affairs at VIDA Digital Identity).

The second day of IDC 2023, on Wednesday (August 23, 2023), was opened by keynote speaker Erick Thohir (Minister of State-Owned Enterprises). The second day of IDC 2023 featured a panel session on the future of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the media and communication sector. The panel was moderated by Wahyu Dhyatmika (CEO of Tempo Digital), who is also the Secretary General of AMSI, and featured speakers Ninik Rahayu (Chairwoman of the Press Council), Andy Budiman (CEO of KG Media), Nelson Yap (Public Interest Publisher Alliance Australia), and Irene Jay Liu (Director of Asia Pacific, IFPIM).

The IDC 2023 event lasted for two days in a hybrid (online/offline) format and will conclude with the AMSI Awards ceremony on Wednesday evening (August 22, 2023). The first day of IDC 2023 was attended by 250 participants from various backgrounds and professions, including representatives from the central government and West Java Provincial Government, professionals from various industries, media activists, journalists, academics, and students.

AMSI Awards returns

The highlight and closing of the IDC 2023 event is the AMSI Awards 2023 ceremony, which recognizes and appreciates the best national and local online media.

The event was opened by Ninik Rahayu (Chairwoman of the Press Council) and also the Chairman of the AMSI Awards 2023 Jury. The AMSI Awards Jury, scheduled to attend the awards ceremony, includes Yosep Adi Prasetyo (Press Law Expert & Former Chairman of the Press Council), Eric Sasono (Chief of Party of USAID Media), Ignatius Haryanto (Media Researcher at UMN), and Febriati Nadira (Public Relations Practitioner).

The finalists evaluated in the AMSI Awards 2023 are national and local online media that have passed the two initial judging stages by AMSI mentors such as Wenseslaus Manggut (Chief Content Officer of KLY), Amrie Hakim (Chief Media & Engagement Officer of Hukumonline.com), Maryadi (Business Director of Katadata.co.id), Citra Dyah Prastuti (Editor-in-Chief of KBR.id), and Suwarjono (Editor-in-Chief of Suara.com).

The AMSI Awards 2023, with the theme "Indonesian Online Media Never Stops Innovating in the Era of Artificial Intelligence," presents awards to 12 AMSI member media. There are six categories that receive awards for national and local media: content innovation and growth, business growth, content distribution, technology innovation, management, and brand growth.

The IDC and AMSI Awards programs are part of the AMSI cooperation program with Internews and USAID MEDIA to build media business sustainability in Indonesia. This year's event, IDC and AMSI Awards, also received support from PT Astra International Tbk, PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero), Mining Industry Indonesia (MIND ID), PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, PT Pertamina (Persero), PT Adaro Energy Tbk, PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk, PT Merdeka Copper Gold Tbk, Bank BJB, Harita Nickel, PT XL Axiata Tbk, and Minderoo Foundation.