Unlocking Digital Potential: A Youth Perspective on Ethical Tech and Meaningful Change

Muhammad Rhaka Katresna, Regional Executive Body, ASEAN Youth Forum

The “Digital Dharma: Pathways for Changemakers” event was a three-day program from August 25-27, 2025, but due to my participation in the ASEAN – India Youth Summit, I could only attend on August 25-26. The program explored how digital tools, including AI, can drive positive social and environmental change. While I expected a focus on Buddhist principles, the event was surprisingly based on the ethics of engaged Buddhism and offered a practical exploration of ethical decision-making and how to build sustainable movements.

Engaged Buddhism is a movement that applies Buddhist teachings to contemporary issues of social, political, and environmental injustice. It encourages individuals to use their compassion and wisdom to actively alleviate suffering in the world, rather than retreating from it. This approach provided a strong ethical framework for the entire program.

I have concerns about our digital campaigns and how to make them more inclusive in a region rich with diverse traditions. The event reinforced that our advocacy for rights must also respect these living traditions. To build a better campaign, we must consider the cultural and religious backgrounds of our communities, especially when building our ethical framework.

I learned that technology is not a neutral force. The sessions on the history of data and AI showed how these innovations were often driven by military needs and large-scale crises. I realized that today’s excess of information can be as harmful as its suppression, as it can confuse people and bury the truth.

I believe youth can use digital tools in two main ways. First, we can use AI to trace content to its original sources, helping us combat misinformation. Second, inspired by Premesh Chandran of MalaysiaKini, youth organizations can find creative ways to build revenue from their social movements. Building our actions through social enterprises, such as offering content subscriptions, offers a viable alternative to relying on local or governmental funds and can help mitigate funding shortages.

Premesh’s message about being a “collective movement” resonated deeply. He emphasized that building a strong organization requires resilience and a willingness to make tough decisions. I also learned from him that ethical AI use is preferable to outright rejection, as long as it is based on truth and accountability.

The insights from KV Soon, a managing director at Spirit of Endeavour, provided essential historical context. With over 25 years of experience, he explained how early technologies emerged from the need to manage industrial complexities and were accelerated by the World Wars. He reminded us that times of crisis often spark innovation, and we must intentionally shape it for positive purposes.

The foundations of computing were built on the contributions of brilliant minds, including queer and disabled people. For instance, Alan Turing laid the groundwork for modern computing despite immense personal persecution. Our role is to ensure that the continued development of technology aligns with the needs of our environment, society, and youth. By championing inclusivity and ethics, we can guide technology to serve humanity.

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