IRIS 2025: Advancing Information Resilience in the Age of Generative AI

Safer Internet Lab (SAIL), in collaboration with the Center for Digital Society (CfDS) UGM, held a regional academic conference titled the Information Resilience and Integrity Symposium (IRIS) on 21 August 2025 at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIPOL), Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM).The symposium was held in response to the growing risks posed by generative AI. While the technology brings opportunities, it also has the potential to amplify misinformation that threatens democracy, fuel online fraud that harms the digital economy, and influence geopolitics through Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference.Carrying the theme “Generative AI and Information Resilience in the Asia-Pacific: Actions and Adaptions,” IRIS served as a platform where policymakers, private sectors, and academics came together to exchange ideas and propose sustainable actions in addressing emerging challenges. The event was divided into two main sessions:Plenary sessionThe event opened with remarks from Prof. Wening Udasmoro, Vice-Rector of Universitas Gadjah Mada. She emphasized the role of academia in bridging policy, research, and public understanding around generative AI.This was followed by Dr. Yose Rizal Damuri, Executive Director of CSIS, who explained both the opportunities and risks of GenAI in the Asia-Pacific region.Adding to the discussion, Meutya Viada Hafid, Indonesia’s Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs (Komidigi), gave a keynote speech and highlighted the high enthusiasm surrounding AI adaptation in Indonesia. The Indonesian government is committed to harness this positive reaction while also carefully navigating the risks. “Our task is to harness this optimism responsibly.” To do this, Meutya pushes for better human development. “Technology alone can’t build the future, people do,” Meutya emphasized.The session continued with a public lecture by Prof. Ang Peng Hwa from Nanyang Technological University (NTU). He explained how GenAI is reshaping society, reducing diversity in cultural and personal experiences and fostering dependency that weakens critical thinking. “AI has converged into one point. This is the problem with GenAI,” explained Prof. Ang. As AI is a prediction machine, it tends to reduce output into one number, one word, one image. This nature of AI poses risk to the uniqueness of human experience. Prof. Ang called for a multistakeholder approach involving government, business, academia, civil society, and religious groups to ensure AI supports social resilience.Then, it was followed by a strategic dialogue featuring Wijaya Kusumawardhana (Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs (Komdigi)), Prof. Ang Peng Hwa; and Dr. Maria Monica Wihardja (ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute). The dialogue was moderated by Prof. Dr. Poppy Sulistyaning Winanti and focused on critically examining the rapid development of AI technology and its broader implications.Panel sessionsIn addition to the plenary, IRIS also featured four panel discussions focused on key topics:

  • GenAI-driven financial fraud

Speakers: Saliltorn Thongmeensuk (Thailand Development Research Institute) Tran Luu Ly (University of Languages and International Studies, VNU), Dian Kartika Rahajeng, Ph.D., (Faculty of Economics and Business, UGM), and Adinova Fauri, (Centre for Strategic and International Studies).Moderator: Dian Fatmawati (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGM).

  • Surveillance and privacy

Speakers: Dr. Karryl Kim Sagun Trajano (S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies), Dr. Surachanee Sriyai (ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute), Alfatika Aunuriella Dini (Faculty of Law, UGMU), and Alia Yofira (PurpleCode Collective).Moderator: Hafiz Noer (Center for Digital Society (CfDS)).

  • Regional responses to foreign information manipulation

Speakers: Maria Elize Mendoza (University of the Philippines Diliman), Farhan Julianto, (University of Melbourne), Pieter Pandie (Centre for Strategic and International Studies) and Pratiwi Utami (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGM).Moderator: Syaifa Tania (Center for Digital Society (CfDS))

  • The role of information in democratic resilience

Speakers: Summer Chen (FactLink Taiwan), Rahmat Fauzi (Pilkada.AI), Michelle Anindya (freelance journalist), and Dr. Abdul Gaffar Karim (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGM)Moderator: Titik Firawati  (Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, UGM).Through these sessions, IRIS aimed to raise public awareness of both the risks and opportunities of GenAI, foster cross-sector dialogue, and disseminate SAIL’s research as a reference for policy development.Missed the session? Watch it here.