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Fatwas from Islamweb.Net on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence

In: Artificial Intelligence in the Gulf

Author

Listed:
  • Julia Singer

    (Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich)

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to deal with perceptionsperception of robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) from an IslamicIslamic perspective. Since this discourse has not spread much yet, I use the analysis of fatwasfatwa as a starting point. Fatwas are legal opinions expressed by a Muslim scholar or anybody with expertise in Islamic Law (ArabArab. mufti). Fatwas give scholars the opportunity to react to innovations (social, legal, technological et cetera) from an Islamic point of view and to judge these according to IslamicIslamic law. The 14 Arabic and English Islamic legal opinions I analysed were all coming from the Qatari Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, which is linked to the conservative Wahhabi branch of Islamislam. They were issued between 2002 and 2019 on the web page Islamweb.net. A comparison between the different IslamicIslamic currents is not possible since so far no other fatwas dealing with robotics and/or AI are to be found. The analysis of these Islamic legal opinions is done through the lens of the following questions and by the use of qualitative content analysis: To what extent can IslamicIslamic positions on AI and robotics be found in fatwas? What statements are made by the scholars? How do the attitudesattitude to robotics and AI differ? An analysis of the content and the methods shows that the scholars: (1) have a fairly clear stance on the treatment of robotics but not on AI; (2) are not concerned that these technologies could harm humans or that their creators usurp God’s power to create; and (3), rather tend to avoid dealing with difficult issues such as the impacts of developing strong AI.

Suggested Citation

  • Julia Singer, 2021. "Fatwas from Islamweb.Net on Robotics and Artificial Intelligence," Springer Books, in: Elie Azar & Anthony N. Haddad (ed.), Artificial Intelligence in the Gulf, chapter 0, pages 279-301, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-981-16-0771-4_12
    DOI: 10.1007/978-981-16-0771-4_12
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