Department of Informatics at FSM Undip Hosts International AI Expert: Exploring Technology, Ethics, and the Future of Artificial Intelligence
Posted on: 2025-05-27 13:40:17
Semarang, May 27, 2025 — The Department of Informatics, Faculty of Science and Mathematics (FSM), Universitas Diponegoro successfully held an international guest lecture titled “Introduction to Artificial Intelligence: What, Why, and How” on Thursday, May 22, 2025. This event was part of the Visiting Lecturer program, aimed at broadening students’ perspectives on global technological issues, particularly in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The session featured a distinguished international speaker, Dr. Eng. Nur Hamid, S.Si., M.Kom., a researcher at the Intelligent Research Center for Smart Mobility and Logistics (IRC-SML), King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. The guest lecture was conducted virtually via Zoom and attended by more than 130 students from various academic years within the Department of Informatics at FSM Undip. The session was moderated by Henri Tantyoko, S.Kom., M.Kom., a faculty member of the department.
AI: From Historical Roots to Modern Technologies
In his insightful presentation, Dr. Hamid described Artificial Intelligence as a scientific discipline that aims to replicate human cognitive functions such as reasoning, learning, decision-making, and problem-solving. He outlined the historical evolution of AI—starting from the initial optimism during the AI Spring, the disillusionment of the AI Winter, and the resurgence of interest brought about by machine learning and deep learning approaches.
Dr. Hamid emphasized that AI is no longer confined to rule-based systems, but has expanded to include statistical learning models, representation learning techniques for extracting meaningful features from raw data, and layered models known as deep learning. He highlighted that the ability to effectively represent data is a critical determinant of success in modern AI systems.
Ethics in AI: Technology Must Uphold Humanity
Beyond technical aspects, the session also delved into the ethical challenges of AI development. Dr. Hamid highlighted several key concerns, including:
- Algorithmic bias that can lead to unfair outcomes,
- Privacy violations stemming from data misuse,
- Over-surveillance of individuals and communities, and
- Structural unemployment caused by widespread automation.
He emphasized the necessity of implementing principles such as transparency, fairness, safety, and accountability throughout the AI development lifecycle. According to Dr. Hamid, AI must be designed to support human values and generate positive societal impact.
In closing, Dr. Hamid shared a reflective quote: "Technology is a tool. Sharpen the tool, to sharpen us." He explained that technology, including AI, is merely a tool—and its true value lies in how we use it to improve the quality of life and human civilization. He encouraged all participants to use technology wisely, responsibly, and in a way that advances collective human progress.
FSM Undip and Its Commitment to Globalizing Informatics Education
This Visiting Lecturer event is part of the Department of Informatics’ ongoing efforts to foster a globally connected academic ecosystem in support of its vision to become a World Class University. By inviting international AI experts, students not only gain theoretical knowledge but are also challenged to critically reflect on the social and ethical implications of future technological innovations.
With the enthusiastic participation of students, the session is expected to inspire further academic engagements and spark more global collaborations in the near future.
For those who missed the live session, the full lecture recording is available on the official YouTube channel of the Department of Informatics FSM Undip at:
Link video youtube : https://youtu.be/Gipnv3zGYZk
