Friday sermon: The Islamic guidelines for using artificial intelligence
issued Minister of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance Saudi Friday sermon , corresponding to the 21st of Dhu al-Qi'dah, 1447 AH, to a vital topic concerning the daily lives of individuals: the Islamic guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence and social media. This directive reflects the Ministry's commitment to raising public awareness and warning against the potential pitfalls of misusing artificial intelligence, through comprehensive educational and awareness-raising initiatives aimed at protecting both individuals and society.
Technological development and the adaptation of religious discourse to changes
Historically, the religious pulpit in Saudi Arabia has always been an effective means of guiding and educating society on contemporary issues and developments. With the tremendous technological revolution the world is witnessing in the 21st century, it has become essential for religious discourse to keep pace with these rapid changes. Integrating technology into daily life is no longer a choice, but a tangible reality, prompting religious authorities to clarify the Islamic perspective on these tools. This recent guidance reflects an ongoing strategy by the Ministry of Islamic Affairs to connect religious teachings with contemporary reality, emphasizing that technology is a double-edged sword, and that guiding people toward its optimal use is central to religious outreach and guidance.
Friday sermon focus on modern technology
The ministerial directive included several fundamental principles of Islamic law that preachers should emphasize. Among the most prominent of these principles is the reminder that social media and artificial intelligence technologies are tools for which individuals will be held accountable before God Almighty. The directive stressed that Islamic law mandates using these technologies in ways that please God, while remaining mindful of His watchfulness in all that is published and said. The directive also clarified that these technologies are among the greatest blessings when used for good, but simultaneously among the most dangerous when misused to spread corruption or harm others.
The dangers of deepfakes and spreading rumors
The sermon emphasized the immense responsibility of words and the dangers of what is published through these media. A person is accountable for everything they write, say, or republish. The sermon specifically warned against the misuse of artificial intelligence technologies for forgery and deception, such as manipulating videos, impersonating voices, and falsely attributing statements to others. The sermon clarified that these actions fall under the category of deception, fraud, and lying, which are forbidden in Islamic law. They distort the truth and present falsehood as truth, resulting in violations of privacy and dignity, and contributing to the spread and promotion of falsehood among people.
The societal impact and application of Sharia controls for the use of artificial intelligence
Highlighting the Sharia-compliant guidelines for the use of artificial intelligence is of paramount importance and has a far-reaching impact extending from the local to the regional and international levels. Locally, this guidance contributes to safeguarding Saudi society's security by mitigating the spread of misinformation, preventing the erosion of trust among community members, and protecting families from blackmail and defamation. Regionally and internationally, the Kingdom presents a pioneering model for ethical and religiously responsible engagement with emerging technologies, thus bolstering global efforts to establish regulatory and ethical frameworks for AI. Warning against being misled by fabricated content and the spread of discord is a proactive step to protect minds and nations from the grave harms that can result from the misuse of these technologies, emphasizing that safeguarding intellectual and societal security is a shared responsibility.
