AI has no soul, cannot be considered challenging God

Concerns about artificial intelligence (AI) technology are well-based. It's not just that the output is feared to be unoriginal, but also that it is related to the issue of misuse leading to bad consequences.

Most alarming is when AI is considered to challenge the power of Allah SWT. How can it not when it works exactly like a human brain that is able to understand and answer all questions.

However, Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Dr Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor is of the view that the presence of AI is not at all against the Islamic faith which teaches about God as the Creator and has no partners.

In fact, he said that humans must be grateful to Him for granting them the guidance to be able to create artificial intelligence that can be programmed to do works as desired.

"Simply put, AI is a computer system built to carry out tasks that are usually done by humans in various fields.

"It includes information technology, financial transactions, media, business, learning, medicine and others," he told Sinar Islam Plus recently.

Looking at its definition and role, the religious expert explained that the creation of AI cannot at all be considered a challenge to God.

"In fact, it's just a tool designed to imitate human actions.

"AI does not have a soul and attributes of living beings," he stressed.

Although there are some who argued that there is no element of authenticity for those who use AI to facilitate themselves and their work affairs, Dr Wan Salim does not agree with such a view.

According to him, originality still exists because the copyright is fully owned by the individual who programmed the AI to complete the task.

"It clearly shows that at least for the time being, AI still cannot match the ingenuity of the human mind that was gifted by Allah.

"On the contrary, the tool is only capable of doing what is programmed by humans, but is not capable of doing it by itself. A tool without a soul certainly has no power to do its own will," he explained.

What about Islam's view on AI facilities that are easily 'intruded' to facilitate creative work such as writing, designing images or layouts, plagiarism and so on?

Addressing the question, Dr Wan Salim explained that any design piece can be misused by people who lack trust and integrity.

"Everything depends on conscience. This is where the importance of spiritual education lies in purifying the heart with faith and piety.

"Remember, a person's moral excellence and elegance are formed as a result of his close relationship with God through worship and good morals.

"The combination of faith, piety, worship and morals can form a good personality and trust in God and fellow human beings," he said.

In the meantime, the religious figure also agreed with the former Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Dr Zulkifli Mohamad Al-Bakri that guidelines should be established on AI so that it is not misused.

He explained that it is important that the matter does not lead to harmful results for humans and other creatures.

"This is the government's responsibility. As well known, Islam obliges those who are given the power of government to do good and prevent evil.

"Just as we need rules in other fields that cannot be intruded, so do we in AI.

"There needs to be a certain law that aims to control this field so that it is not intruded to the point of distorting its pure goal which is for the well-being of human life," he said.

He also suggested that the government through the Legal Division of the Prime Minister's Department and the Communications and Digital Ministry can enact laws and regulations to prevent copyright infringement and plagiarism in AI technology.

"It is usually done to protect copyright in the printing and publishing of creative works of books, films and so on.

Dr Wan Salim left a message for Muslims to accept AI and use it to call (preach) people toward building a prosperous society.