FH USU Public Relations: September 16, 2026 — The Master's Program in Law Studies, Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara (USU), organized a National Seminar entitled “AI, Cyber Crime: The Conflict between Social Needs and Law Enforcement Challenges” with the main topic “The New Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code in the Digital Era: Transformation of a Technology-Based Criminal Justice System.”

The activity, which was held in hybrid format at the DPF Room of the Faculty of Law USU and through the Zoom Meeting platform, was attended by 239 participants consisting of academics, legal practitioners, students, and observers of developments in criminal law and technology.

The national seminar was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Dr. Mahmul Siregar, S.H., M.Hum. In his remarks, he stated that the development of digital technology has brought major changes to people's lives, including the legal system and criminal justice system.

According to Dr. Mahmul Siregar, the era of technological disruption provides significant benefits to humanity but also presents new challenges that need to be examined academically. The development of Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital algorithms, and information technology has influenced the way of thinking and working of law enforcement systems in various countries.

“Technological disruption not only affects social life but also influences the development of legal science and the justice system. These changes must be examined by academics based on scientific principles so that they can address future legal challenges,” said Dr. Mahmul Siregar.

On the same occasion, the Chairperson of the Association of Criminal Law and Criminology Lecturers (ASPERHUPIKI), Dr. Fachrizal Afandi, S.Psi., S.H., M.H., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation to the Faculty of Law USU, particularly the Master's Program in Law Studies, for its cooperation in organizing the national seminar.

Dr. Fachrizal explained that technological development is currently progressing much faster than the development of law. Artificial Intelligence, deepfakes, digital data, social media, and electronic systems provide convenience for society but also create challenges in the form of cybercrime, information manipulation, data misuse, and various other forms of criminal acts.

According to him, the main issue in digital criminal law concerns not only the rules that can be applied but also how the legal system can understand technological changes, prove digital crimes, and continue to guarantee the protection of citizens' rights.

“The reform of criminal law through the new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code should be understood not merely as a change of regulations, but as an opportunity to build a modern, accountable, and adaptive criminal justice system that responds to developments in the times,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Master's Program in Law Studies at USU, Dr. Mahmud Mulyadi, S.H., M.Hum., expressed his gratitude to ASPERHUPIKI for its cooperation in organizing the national seminar. He hoped that similar activities could continue to be held as a form of academic oversight of the implementation of the new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code, particularly in addressing developments in digital technology.

“The Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code must continue to be understood and observed in the context of developments in criminal law, particularly because digital developments are bringing major changes to the law enforcement system,” he said.

Moderated by Nabila Afifah Salwa, S.H., M.H., a lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara, the seminar featured presentations by academics in criminal law and technology, namely Dr. Aris Hardinanto, S.H., M.H., (Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Trunojoyo Madura), Dr. Abdul Aziz Alsa, S.H., M.H., (Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Sumatera Utara), and Dr. Vidya Prahassacitta, S.H., M.H., (Lecturer at the Faculty of Law, Universitas Bina Nusantara).

In his presentation, Dr. Aris Hardinanto, S.H., M.H., explained that the development of digital technology has changed the forms and modes of crime. Indonesian criminal law is required to undergo reform so that it can address cybercrime, illegal access, and various new challenges arising from the use of Artificial Intelligence. The reform of the Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code must be able to maintain a balance between effective law enforcement, legal certainty, protection of citizens' rights, and oversight of the use of digital authority.

Furthermore, Dr. Abdul Aziz Alsa, S.H., M.H., stated that the new Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code serve as important foundations for addressing the development of digital crime in Indonesia. The transformation of a technology-based criminal justice system through the concepts of e-Investigation, e-Prosecution, e-Trial, and e-Execution is a strategic step toward realizing more modern and effective law enforcement. However, the success of this transformation depends greatly on the ability of regulations and law enforcement officials to adapt to developments in digital technology.

Meanwhile, Dr. Vidya Prahassacitta, S.H., M.H., discussed the challenges of law enforcement against hoaxes, disinformation, and deepfakes in the digital era. According to her, balanced criminal policies are needed to protect society while respecting freedom of expression. Penal and non-penal approaches need to be implemented together through proportionate law enforcement, improved digital literacy, and strengthened electronic evidence mechanisms.

At the end of the activity, the moderator stated that the reform of criminal procedure law must be able to create a balance between law enforcement interests and the protection of human rights. In cases involving electronic evidence, proof is not sufficient merely by examining the existence of digital information but must also consider its authenticity, the process of acquisition, dissemination, and causal relationship with the resulting impact. Therefore, the application of a chain of custody mechanism is important to maintain the integrity and validity of electronic evidence.

In addition, the criminal justice system must continue to guarantee the rights of defendants, including the right to legal assistance, the right to defend themselves, and the right to a fair trial. The handling of digital disinformation, including that related to commercial speech and political speech, also needs to be carried out carefully by taking into account the applicable sectoral legal regimes. The criminal law approach as an ultimum remedium must be applied proportionately by considering the elements of fault, malicious intent, and the actual impact caused.

The organization of this national seminar also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Through this activity, the Master's Program in Law Studies, Faculty of Law USU, contributes to improving the quality of legal education by strengthening academic insights into developments in digital technology and their implications for the criminal legal system, in line with SDG 4. The seminar also supports SDG 16 through the development of ideas regarding a modern, transparent, and accountable criminal justice system that continues to uphold the principles of due process of law and the protection of human rights.

In addition, this activity reflects the spirit of SDG 17 through collaboration among higher education institutions, legal professional organizations, academics, and various stakeholders in building knowledge networks and promoting the reform of Indonesian criminal law so that it can address the challenges posed by developments in digital technology. (Nabila A Salwa)