Dr. Majd Hawasly, scientist specialising in Arabic Language Technologies at the Qatar Computing Research Institute of Qatar Foundation’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University
Doha, Qatar: As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies continue to evolve, their influence extends into every aspect of life, including religion. This is particularly relevant during the holy month of Ramadan, a time when many individuals engage more deeply with their faith and spiritual practices. Personalised prayer reminders and AI-assisted Quran recitations are examples of how AI is reshaping the way people observe this sacred time.
A scientist specialising in Arabic Language Technologies at the Qatar Computing Research Institute of Qatar Foundation’s Hamad Bin Khalifa University Dr. Majd Hawasly in an interview with The Peninsula shared insights on how AI can interact with faith, its potential ethical challenges, and its role in supporting religious experiences without replacing the essence of worship.
Dr. Hawasly emphasised that AI should never intervene directly in the act of worship.
“AI cannot, and should not, intervene in worship itself, as this is a deeply personal interaction of the faithful with the divine,” he stated. However, AI can still play a supportive role by enhancing religious experiences. For example, AI can suggest reading materials, can support intra- and inter-faith activities by increasing accessibility to knowledge and learning across religious traditions and schools of thought.
Dr. Hawasly also addressed how religious communities can adapt to the increasing presence of AI. He suggested that religious leaders educate their members on when to utilise AI and when it is vital to seek guidance from human scholars.
“Religious communities should actively engage with AI researchers to integrate their values, ethics, and moral principles into AI systems that serve their faith,” he said.
In Qatar, where the government and institutions are deeply committed to AI-driven innovation, projects like Fanar demonstrate how technology can serve religious communities. “Fanar is a home-grown generative AI platform developed in Qatar to cater to Arabic and Islamic communities,” Dr. Hawasly explained. One key feature of Fanar is a specialised AI module designed to handle Islamic queries, searching a verified dataset of authentic sources to provide accurate and respectful answers while preserving Islamic knowledge and heritage.
However, Dr. Hawasly also expressed concern over the ethical challenges posed by AI in religious contexts.
“One of the primary ethical concerns is AI’s inability to assume moral and spiritual responsibility,” he said. He pointed out that AI-generated religious guidance lacks the nuanced understanding and contextual sensitivity human scholars offer, especially when addressing complex moral issues. Additionally, AI systems may be biased, and there is always a risk of misinterpreting sacred texts or producing inaccurate information—referred to as “hallucinations” in AI terminology.
When asked about the potential dangers of relying on AI for religious decision-making, Dr. Hawasly was firm in his caution.
“AI lacks awareness of cultural and situational nuances, making it incapable of fully considering the complexities of individual cases,” he said.
“It is also prone to hallucinations, generating inaccurate or misleading information.” Moreover, since AI lacks the spiritual connection and moral responsibility that are critical for religious guidance, human oversight is essential.
AI’s advancements also challenge traditional theological concepts, such as the nature of humanity and divine intervention. “The increasing capabilities of AI may prompt reflection on what makes humans unique,” Dr. Hawasly noted. “It raises questions about intelligence, consciousness, and the nature of human reasoning,” opening new avenues for religious thought and exploration.
Religious institutions, according to Dr. Hawasly, must approach AI with caution. “Religious institutions should actively engage in the development and oversight of AI to ensure it aligns with their value system,” he said. Institutions should establish ethical guidelines and ensure AI serves to enhance, not replace, the wisdom and intuition of human scholars.
Dr. Hawasly sees potential for AI in fostering interfaith dialogue. By making religious texts more accessible and translating across languages, AI can help bridge differences between religious groups. “Mutual understanding and respect could be strengthened by AI-driven analysis of common values and themes across faiths,” he said, emphasising AI’s potential role in creating an environment conducive to meaningful dialogue.
