Asia-Europe Dialogue in Yogyakarta Puts Human Rights at the Center of AI Governance

RRI.CO.ID, Yogyakarta - An international forum in Yogyakarta has placed human rights at the heart of discussions on artificial intelligence, as Asia and Europe seek practical ways to govern emerging technologies responsibly.

The 23rd Informal ASEM Seminar on Human Rights (ASEMHRS23), co-hosted by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the Center for Digital Society (CfDS) at Gadjah Mada University (UGM), brought together government officials, civil society representatives, academics, and human rights institutions from across both regions.

Held from March 30 to April 1, 2026, the three-day program focused on building governance skills for “human-in-the-loop” AI systems, ensuring technology remains accountable, transparent, and people-centered.

Activities ranged from keynote lectures and panel discussions to workshops and case-based capstone projects, creating a platform for knowledge exchange and best practices in rights-respecting AI.

“AI must remain under human oversight and public accountability. Ensuring human involvement is essential to preserve empathy and judgment in critical decisions,” Deputy Executive Director of ASEF, Zhang Lei, said in a recent press statement released by CfDS.

Indonesian Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital, Nezar Patria, highlighted the country’s readiness to engage globally on AI governance, stressing that capacity-building and international collaboration are vital to align digital transformation with human rights protection.

UGM’s Dean of Social and Political Sciences, Wawan Mas’udi, underscored the social and political dimensions of AI governance, noting that accountability is shaped by institutions and power structures. Meanwhile, UNESCO’s keynote reinforced that AI governance must be rooted in principles of justice, inclusivity, and accountability, consistent with global frameworks under development.

ASEMHRS23 ultimately spotlighted the challenge of applying universal principles across diverse contexts, calling for closer Asia-Europe collaboration to ensure balanced representation and practical solutions. By moving beyond abstract principles, the forum aimed to anchor AI governance in real-world cases and cross-regional cooperation. ***