Artificial intelligence and human fraternity in a shared future

While the technical power of artificial intelligence is often celebrated, its deeper significance lies in who benefits from it and who is left behind. Today, around 2.6 billion people, nearly one third of the world’s population, still lack access to the internet, the most basic gateway to an AI shaped world. Even among those who are connected, significant language and cultural divides persist. More than half of digital content and many AI systems operate primarily in English, while most of the world’s population does not speak English fluently. Without deliberate action, these gaps risk producing an AI future shaped by a few, for a few. Human fraternity offers a practical and ethical response to this challenge. It reminds us that technological progress must be anchored in human dignity, shared responsibility, and inclusion. The central question is not whether artificial intelligence will shape the future, but whether it will strengthen belonging and participation across societies.

A concrete expression of this vision can be seen in an initiative led by the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity to empower students in Indonesia through AI enabled education. Working in collaboration with Global Data Excellence, a Switzerland based technology company, Dompet Aman, a not for profit organization in Indonesia, and the Indonesian Stock Exchange, the initiative focuses on advancing digital empowerment among young people who will shape the next phase of technological transformation. Through the use of AI assisted research tools, students are equipped to navigate digital information critically, identify credible sources, and engage responsibly with online content. These skills are essential in a global digital environment where misinformation and exclusion can undermine trust and social cohesion. By strengthening access to knowledge and critical thinking, the initiative helps ensure that young people can participate meaningfully in an AI shaped world rather than being passive recipients of it. The programme also places strong emphasis on financial literacy as a pillar of inclusion and dignity. In partnership with the Indonesian Stock Exchange, students are introduced to fundamental concepts of financial systems, investment, and responsible economic participation. AI supported learning platforms help simplify complex topics, making them accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. This reflects a core principle of human fraternity, that economic participation and human dignity are inseparable. Equally important is the spirit of partnership that underpins this effort. The initiative brings together an international technology partner, local civil society leadership, and a national financial institution under the guidance of the Higher Committee of Human Fraternity. Such collaboration demonstrates how ethical governance of artificial intelligence depends on shared responsibility across governments, the private sector, and civil society.

Beyond access and skills, human fraternity also calls for cultural and linguistic inclusion as an ethical priority. Technologies must reflect the diversity of humanity rather than narrowing it. Encouraging the development of multilingual and culturally inclusive AI systems ensures that communities are not rendered invisible or unheard in the digital space. In this sense, inclusion is not a technical feature but a moral choice. International Human Fraternity Day therefore serves as both a celebration and a call to action. Artificial intelligence does not inherently promote good. It reflects the values embedded within it. Without ethical guidance, it can deepen inequality and division. With ethical governance grounded in human dignity, mutual respect, and shared responsibility, it can become a force that connects rather than separates. As artificial intelligence becomes more deeply integrated into daily life, it challenges humanity to reaffirm what defines us. Machines can process data at remarkable speed, but they cannot replace empathy, moral judgment, or solidarity. These remain uniquely human responsibilities.

Guided by the principles of human fraternity, artificial intelligence can help build a future that brings people together rather than pulling them apart. The true measure of progress will not be how advanced our technologies become, but whether they strengthen dignity, belonging, and our sense of shared humanity.

** The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the position of Astro AWANI.