Artificial Intelligence, Legal Culture, and the Indonesian Formal Legal System: Negotiating Norms in The Regulation of Emerging Technologies

Abstract

This study explores the dynamic interaction between Indonesia’s cultural norms and the formal legal system in governing artificial intelligence (AI). Although legal frameworks for AI in Indonesia remain fragmented, socio-cultural values particularly collective responsibility, moral harmony, and social ethics significantly influence how law is understood, implemented, and contested. Using a qualitative socio legal approach, this research examines how cultural patterns shape the perception of AI accountability, legal personhood, and state regulation. Field observations and interviews with legal experts, policymakers, and cultural practitioners reveal that Indonesia’s legal response to AI is not only determined by statutory law but also embedded in the moral and ethical expectations of society. The study argues that Indonesia’s approach reflects a pluralistic legal culture where modern legal rationality interacts with communal values rooted in tradition. This hybridity presents both opportunities and challenges for developing AI governance that is legally sound yet culturally resonant. The findings highlight the need for a culturally adaptive legal framework that bridges formal regulation with local wisdom, ensuring ethical, inclusive, and socially legitimate AI governance in Indonesia.