Challenges of Artificial Intelligence Integration in Sustainable Environmental Policy Making in Indonesia

¹ Faculty of Law, State University of Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia
² Fakulti Undang-Undang, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia

^* Corresponding author: alfannurrachman@unesa.ac.id

Abstract

Some structural constraints towards sustainable environmental policy in Indonesia, among others: The absence of real-time and national scale data, available information are dispersed at the institution and difficult to access as well as limited analytical capacity. Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to truly revolutionize the space, being able to swiftly and accurately process large volumes of data, simulate policy scenarios and thus support a more participatory as well as evidence-based way of decision-making. AI-based tools could also be applied to support environmental monitoring systems that track deforestation, air or maritime pollution and strengthen resilience in the face of climate-related disasters. But the use of AI must be accompanied by the data governance reform, cross-sectoral collaboration, capacity building and equal provision for inclusive digital infrastructure. Moreover, the deployment of AI needs to be associated with sound ethical and regulatory mechanisms so that the technology is not abused but reinforces social sustainability. This article argues that AI should be an enabler, rather than replacement of human wisdom and local knowledge in a collaborative, contextualised and equitable way to achieve sustainable, adaptive and democratic environmental governance in Indonesia.