Reflections: Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a field which combines computer science and robust datasets, to enable problem-solving. AI can perceive, synthesize, infer and generate information using the internet as a knowledge database. Common examples of AI like Siri and Alexa, speech recognition and translations between different natural languages, are a big part of our lives today. Open AI GPT4, Bard and other such tools are growing in prominence. AI is likely to play a large role in the future of younger minds in a thorough and comprehensive way. It is thus important for us to reflect on how we engage with AI, based upon the ethics of our faith.

AI can become a source of immense good but it also comes with substantial risk as it advances. It can spread massive disinformation and misinformation, and can often make it hard to decipher what is human and what is not. For example, chat bots, and other response mechanisms are designed to mimic human responses in a manner that can often be difficult to differentiate.  AI can also be used to complete school assignments and exams, which can be a form of plagiarism and cheating.

How does AI makes its way into our lives? What incentives are there for its use, and what should we keep in the back of our minds as we use AI. There is no denying that AI is an important aspect of how we will manage our affairs into the future, so balancing this with a deep curiosity is also important. What values would inform those who develop and use AI, and what constraints would be needed? How do we think about the use of AI and manage our ethical responsibilities of honesty and integrity? We will come across such questions with increasing intensity. It is, therefore, important to look at this matter through the ethics and teachings of our faith. The Quran tells us in Surah 2, ayats 30 to 32, that humankind is created with the exalted status of a Khalifa (vicegerent) of Allah on this earth. What makes human beings a ‘Khalifa’? 

Man’s ruh (soul) is the Noor that Allah breathed into him. Man is bestowed with intellect that enables him to acquire knowledge. Man is blessed with the power of discernment, which helps him and her to distinguish between the right and wrong. Further, man is endowed with the qualities and attributes of Allah. All these elements make a beautiful fusion of multiple strengths and treasures that enables humankind to live their life in a manner that is worthy of their exalted status as Allah’s khalifa. The ethical behavior that man exhibits and the moral choices that he or she makes, stem from this wonderful blend. These virtues enable us to live our lives based on ethical actions and moral choices taken in accordance with our value system.

At the inauguration of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan in November 1985, Mawlana Hazar Imam shared his thoughts on the role of intellect in Islam:

“The divine intellect, “Aql Qul”, both transcends and informs the human intellect. It is this intellect which enables man to strive towards two aims dictated by the Faith: that he should reflect upon the environment Allah has given him and that he should know himself. It is the light of intellect which distinguishes the complete human being from the human animal, and developing that intellect requires free enquiry. The man of Faith who fails to pursue intellectual search is likely to have only a limited comprehension of Allah’s creation. Indeed, it is man’s intellect that enables him to expand his vision of that creation. 

Eleven hundred years ago, Al-Kindi wrote “no-one is diminished by the truth, rather does the truth ennoble all”. 

I quote that great Muslim scientist and thinker because his words are as relevant to higher education today as they were during the first flowering of Islamic civilisation. There was not then, and is not now, any conflict between intellectual attainment and the Faith of Islam.

Check out: Inauguration of the Faculty of Health Sciences and ​Aga Khan University Hospital, Pakistan.The Reflections series includes readouts/written pieces reflecting on the principles of our faith and how they apply in our day-to-day lives.