The Religious and Social Aspects of the Use of AI

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the modern world like nothing ever before, touching almost everything that is human life economics, education, healthcare, and communication. Such developments have also to be followed with the religious and social implications of AI, more especially in societies where the protection of ethical and moral standards is underpinned by religious practices. From a religious point of view, using AI raises the question of a human agency, accountability, privacy, and the ability of a technological intervention in questions of life, death, and moral decision-making. For example, Islamic scholars are keen that AI can be used as a means to convenience and progress, while still within the ethical limits defined by Shariah. There are problems in the automation of some religious duties, AI generated fatwas, or surveillance systems that need careful thinking to avoid any clash with divine commandments and human dignity. AI is changing relationships, the labor markets, and assembling structures on the social front. AI can help turn things more efficient and more accessible, but also create questions like unemployment, social isolation and an increase of inequalities. We need to determine whether it is good or bad that AI is putting increasing pressure on us to depend on it: Is it or isn’t it nurturing or abandoning core social values such as compassion, justice, privacy, and mutual respect? Religious wisdom and social responsibility should guide the responsible and ethical use of AI to make use of technological advances for the benefit of humans rather than through it. It is shown that there is a need for such an integrated framework that addresses the religious as well as the social aspects of AI, ensuring a balanced, ethical, and humane development and application of this technology.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence Shariah Ethics Social Impact Religious Responsibility AI Ethics