Publication-driven promotion and weak oversight fuel academic integrity crises in Indonesia
Original framing: “How cheap AI is undermining Indonesia’s academic credibility” — South China Morning Post
The pressure to publish in Indonesia mirrors the 'publish or perish' culture that emerged in the West during the 20th century, particularly after the Bologna Process. This global trend has been adopted uncritically in many Global South countries, often without the necessary infrastructure or ethical safeguards.
The academic integrity crisis in Indonesia is a product of a globally imposed system that prioritizes Western-style publication metrics over local knowledge and ethical research practices.
By reforming academic incentives, investing in integrity infrastructure, and integrating Indigenous knowledge, Indonesia can develop a more sustainable and equitable academic ecosystem. The role of AI in this context is not the root cause but a symptom of deeper structural issues. Drawing from cross-cultural models of knowledge production and future scenario planning, a systemic solution must address both institutional pressures and global inequities in academic publishing.