Abdullah bin Bayyah calls for a global ethical framework for artificial intelligence during the World Economic Forum in Dubai
Dubai, October 19 / WAM / His Excellency Abdullah bin Al-Sheikh Al-Mahfouz bin Bayyah, Chairman of the Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, called for the establishment of a global ethical framework for artificial intelligence that brings together religious, intellectual and scientific leaders, technical experts and decision-makers, in order to direct the path of emerging technologies to serve humanity, preserve their dignity and promote global peace.
This came during the “Ethics of Artificial Intelligence” symposium organized by the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum in partnership with the World Economic Forum (Davos), as part of the “Faith and Technology Dinner” event held in Dubai, which brought together an elite group of religious leaders, thinkers, decision-makers, and artificial intelligence experts from various countries of the world.
His Excellency Ibn Bayyah explained in his speech that the challenge in the age of artificial intelligence is no longer in achieving technical progress, but in ensuring that this progress remains in the service of man and not at his expense, stressing that what distinguishes man is not only his ability to know, but his awareness of its goals and harnessing it to serve the public good.
He pointed out that any scientific or technical development that lacks a clear moral compass could turn from a means of construction into a tool of demolition, calling for the construction of a global value system based on the common human principles established by religions and philosophies, most notably compassion, fairness, wisdom, and honesty.
His Excellency explained that the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum was one of the first global institutions to anticipate these challenges, through its participation in the Rome Call for Ethics in Artificial Intelligence (2020), and its signing of cooperation agreements with the Academy of Life at the Vatican and the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion at the University of Cambridge, emphasizing the importance of linking religious and scientific values to direct innovation towards the common good.
He stressed that artificial intelligence must not turn into “intelligence without conscience,” but rather human values must be instilled in it, especially wisdom, as it is the guarantee for achieving a balance between the ability to act and awareness of consequences, and between innovation and responsibility.
He cited the Almighty’s saying: “Indeed, We have sent our messengers with clear proofs, and We sent down with them the Book and the Balance, so that the people may do justice.” He explained that the “balance” symbolizes the rational mind and conscience. Moral, which are the two pillars The two fundamentals that should direct the path of technical development towards justice and the common good.
His Excellency praised the proactive vision of the UAE, led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the State, “may God protect him,” which made technology a means to achieve peace and sustainable development, referring to what the country expressed in its speech before the United Nations General Assembly about its commitment to the ethical and responsible use of modern technologies out of respect for human dignity and in the service of world peace.
His Excellency Bin Bayyah concluded the symposium by emphasizing that responsibility in this field is collective and cross-border, requiring the collaboration of scholars, policy makers, and religious leaders, to transform values into policies, principles into legislation, and visions into realistic practices, so that artificial intelligence becomes a global force for good that contributes to building a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world.
The symposium witnessed qualitative interventions that enriched the discussion, with the participation of an elite group of artificial intelligence experts and religious leaders from around the world, in addition to advisors from the World Economic Forum.
The meeting was attended by Dr. Amna Al Shehhi, Executive Director of the Abu Dhabi Peace Forum, Zeeshan Zafar, Director of the Artificial Intelligence and International Relations Program at the Forum, and Dr. Omar Bin Bayyah, Advisor to the President of the Forum.
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