Didi Riyadi: The Irony of the Digital Era, Advanced Technology, Declining Human Resources

Harun Nasution Auditorium, UIN News Online - Public Figure and politician, Didi Riyadi, highlighted the crucial phenomenon of the digital era that is growing rapidly but also has a negative impact on human behavior. This was highlighted in his presentation at Creatalk CBX 2024 held by DNK TV, Faculty of Da'wah and Communication Sciences (FIDKOM) UIN Jakarta with the theme “From Clicks to Crimes: Unmasking the Social Media-Cybercrime” on Tuesday (15/10/2024) at Harun Nasution Auditorium of UIN Jakarta.

On this occasion, Didi highlighted that although digital platforms were created to facilitate communication and work, ironically human behavior in cyberspace is often backward, especially in terms of ethics and manners, resulting in the decline of human resources. According to him, the rapid development of technology, especially in digital platforms, does not necessarily have a positive impact.

"Engagement and likes on social media are actually higher on negative and disrespectful content, such as those that expose the body. This indicates that the interest of social media users tends not to be towards positive things,” Didi said. He also regrets that this phenomenon occurs because content with high engagement can generate money, so many people see social media no longer as a means of healthy communication, but as a source of income through uncivilized content.

Didi highlighted the long journey of digitalization, starting from the 1.0 era to the 5.0 era. According to him, in the future, the upcoming 5.0 era is expected to become an imagination society, where humans are able to combine digital power and creative thinking to create solutions to various global problems. “5.0 is a middle way to solve problems and bring the world towards sustainable development,” he added.

Didi also invited the younger generation not to be lazy to think and continue to be creative amidst the onslaught of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. According to him, this era should not be an excuse for humans to reduce the quality of human resources. “We must create papers that are purely the result of our own thoughts even though AI is now growing rapidly,” he said.

In addition, Didi highlighted the changes in communication behavior, from correspondence to modern technology such as telephone and Zoom. However, she warned that behind this progress, the threat of cyber crime continues to increase. Like the last few months, from January to March 2024, cyber crime attacks have continued to increase.

“Our homework is how we can address cybercrime on social media, such as hoaxes, defamation, online gambling, and online prostitution, while sadly many students use these sites,” he said, criticizing the decline in the quality of human resources.

Didi is also worried about the rise of cyber bullying cases which have recently become one of the digital crime problems that have serious impacts, even leading to death or suicide. He expressed his concern about the current young generation who are not mentally strong enough to face the rigors of the digital world. Didi invited young people to think more rationally and logically in facing the challenges of the digital era. “I am worried about your generation, because they are not mentally strong enough to face today's world,” said Didi.

Through his statement, Didi Riyadi hopes that the younger generation can be wiser in using technology and social media. “The digital age is an opportunity, but it can also be a threat if not used with good manners and morals,” he concluded.

(Shely Nurloka/Fauziah M./Dzihan Aufa Kilmi Firdausi/Photo: Melva Evangelyn)