ARTIFICIAL intelligence (AI) should not be used to teach the public about Islam and other matters related to faith and Islamic jurisprudence, says an Opposition MP.
Ahmad Fakhruddin Fakhrurazi (PN-Kuala Kedah) questioned the plans by the Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to establish a policy framework to uphold the nobility and dignity of Islam in the face of potential AI threats.
“I raise this issue because it is not impossible for AI to become an unauthorised ustaz (religious teacher) teaching the public, especially on matters related to aqidah (faith) and fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence),” he told the Dewan Rakyat.
He expressed worry that the proper understanding of Islam may be threatened in the future if Jakim does not act on it.
In June last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the values of “turath Islami” (Islamic scholarly traditions) must be applied to the field of AI in Malaysia and not be guided entirely by the Western model.
Anwar said the skills and development of AI in the country need to be refined with Islamic knowledge and legacy, including manners and morality, as the knowledge in current AI technology is based on materials from Western countries.
He said, therefore, Islamic intellectual tradition must be included so that AI applied in Islamic countries does not deviate from the Islamic moral system and values.
Yesterday, it was reported that the Education Ministry has allocated RM9mil to send teachers abroad for leadership and AI courses.
In December, the Digital Ministry launched its National AI Office, which aims to champion Malaysia’s AI agenda as well as position the country as a regional leader in technology.
