AI and Ethical Standards: An Islamic Perspective – Kashmir Images

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By: Seerat Fayaz

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world, revolutionizing industries with its capacity to automate tasks, make decisions, and solve complex problems. From healthcare to finance, AI enhances efficiency and innovation. However, like any powerful technology, AI can be misused, posing serious ethical concerns. In this article, I will explore how AI is misused and can be misused. I will also examine Islamic teachings that provide a comprehensive ethical framework for its responsible use.

Misuse of AI: A Growing Concern

AI misuse appears in several troubling forms, such as deepfake technology. AI-powered deepfakes can create realistic fake videos and audio recordings that are used to spread misinformation, defame individuals, and manipulate public opinion. This leads to confusion and undermines trust in information. As Yuval Noah Harari discusses in his book Nexus, deepfakes can significantly erode public trust, posing a threat to institutions and societal stability.

Another concerning application of AI is its use in developing autonomous weapons. These weapons raise profound ethical issues as they have the potential to make life-and-death decisions without human oversight. The replacement of human soldiers with AI-driven machines could lead to indiscriminate harm, especially in conflict zones where ethical decision-making is crucial.

AI also contributes to job displacement, exacerbating economic inequality. The automation of jobs in sectors like manufacturing and retail could increase unemployment and widen the wealth gap, leading to social unrest. The economic impact of AI is a significant concern for many, as workers struggle to adapt to a rapidly changing job market.

Moreover, AI systems trained on biased data often perpetuate societal discrimination. Biased algorithms can result in unfair decision-making, particularly in critical areas like hiring, lending, and criminal justice. Without active efforts to address these biases, AI risks reinforcing systemic inequalities.

Social manipulation is another danger posed by AI, as it can be used to spread propaganda and divisive content, fueling social unrest. Additionally, AI’s potential for hacking and unauthorized access is alarming. Techniques such as brute-force attacks and phishing can enable AI to breach accounts, leading to financial loss, identity theft, and privacy violations.

As Harari points out, AI could also facilitate mass surveillance, eroding privacy and civil liberties. He emphasizes the importance of establishing ethical guidelines and regulations to prevent the abuse of AI technologies and ensure they serve humanity’s best interests.

Islamic Teachings on Privacy and Ethics

In Islam, privacy is a sacred right that must be respected. Both the Qur’an and Hadith emphasize the importance of safeguarding personal dignity and protecting information from being misused. Privacy in Islam covers various aspects, from the design of homes to interactions in physical and digital spaces.

One of the key Qur’anic teachings regarding privacy is the command to seek permission before entering someone else’s home: “Do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome” (Al-Qur’ān. 24:27). This verse highlights the importance of respecting others’ personal space, a principle that extends to digital privacy in today’s context.

Islam also strictly prohibits spying and gossiping, as stated in the Qur’an: “Believers! Avoid many suspicions, ˹for˺ indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another” (Al-Qur’ān. 49:12). These teachings underscore the necessity of protecting individuals from privacy invasions, whether in person or online.

Islam’s concept of ‘awrah, or covering intimate parts, is also a key aspect of privacy protection. The Qur’an instructs both men and women to “reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts” (Al-Qur’ān. 24:30-31). This principle extends to social media, where sharing images and videos can expose individuals to significant privacy risks. AI-generated deepfakes that manipulate personal images can lead to devastating consequences, especially for women, who are often disproportionately affected by such violations.

The importance of ethical behavior is emphasized in various Hadiths as well. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed, “If one of you seeks permission to enter three times but is not given permission, let him go back” (Sahīh al-Bukhārī  6245). This Hadith reinforces the concept of respecting privacy and not overstepping boundaries in personal matters, which can be applied to both physical and digital environments today.

Ethical Standards and Security in Islam

Islamic teachings also provide guidance on ethical behavior, particularly in maintaining privacy and security. The Qur’an teaches that even children should be educated about privacy: “And those who have not [yet] reached puberty among you ask permission of you [before entering] at three times” (Al-Qur’ān. 24:58). This verse stresses the importance of instilling ethical values from a young age, including the respect for others’ privacy.

When it comes to security, Islam has long acknowledged the importance of protecting information. The story of Zulqarnain in the Qur’an illustrates the concept of building a protective wall, analogous to modern-day firewalls that safeguard digital data. The story of Prophet Sulaiman and the hoopoe bird further highlights the significance of confidentiality and secure communication, principles central to modern cybersecurity practices such as authentication and verification.

Additionally, the Qur’an emphasizes the importance of documenting agreements clearly and involving witnesses to ensure transparency and fairness: “And bring to witness two men from among you” (Al-Qur’ān. 2:282). This guidance aligns with the modern concepts of data integrity and the prevention of disputes in digital interactions.

Conclusion

The rise of AI presents both opportunities and ethical challenges. Islamic teachings, with their strong emphasis on privacy, dignity, and security, offer a valuable ethical framework for the responsible use of AI. From protecting personal information to ensuring fairness in decision-making, Islam provides timeless principles that can guide the ethical use of technology in the modern world.

By adhering to these values and implementing robust regulations, society can ensure that AI is used for the greater good, minimizing harm and promoting the well-being of all.

The writer is a student of M.A Islamic Studies (1st Semester), Central University of Kashmir.  Email: [email protected]