In our world today, artificial intelligence systems make decisions that affect the lives of billions of people, however questions are still existing whether these techniques really serve the human diversity that touches it. While governments and major companies are racing to develop artificial intelligence, a different orientation emerges that puts cultural values and human dignity at the heart of the process. The Islamic World Organization for Education, Science and Culture “ISESCO”, a UNESCO body -like body represented 53 member states, has led to leading this trend through the center of anticipation and artificial intelligence that was established in January 2020.
The center represents the first research institution of its kind in Africa and the Islamic world, and it works according to what its leaders call a “advising approach.” Instead of limiting the interaction with technical developments, he seeks to anticipate emerging trends and analyze their potential effects. This curriculum links academic research with policies, as the center established research chairs on the ethics of artificial intelligence in universities in Oman and Morocco, as well as initiatives to support women’s participation in this field. Experts also collect from various specializations to provide practical recommendations that help member states to take the digital transformation with awareness and willingness.
Based on this basis, the center achieved a prominent achievement with the launch of the Riyadh AI in the Islamic world during the global artificial intelligence summit in Riyadh in September 2024. The importance of this charter was evident when 53 member states approved almost unanimously, in a rare step in the field of international technology policies.
What distinguishes this charter is its integration of Islamic values in developing artificial intelligence. Instead of looking at technology as a culturally neutral tool, the charter addresses fundamental issues such as preserving human dignity and protecting individual privacy while taking advantage of technology gains. This reflects the awareness that the current international frameworks may not meet the cultural and moral needs of the Islamic world. Therefore, the charter focuses on principles such as honesty, originality and support of society as pillars to develop artificial intelligence.
The Charter goes beyond the theoretical offering to practical procedures through several initiatives, including proposals to establish control committees on artificial intelligence to follow up on progress and provide strategic advice for decision makers. ISESCO also organizes international conferences on artificial intelligence and human rights, and launched training programs in partnership with the Saudi Organization for Data and Artificial Intelligence “Sida” to bridge the gaps of skills in modern technologies. These integrated initiatives reflect a balanced approach that combines innovation and moral considerations, which opens paths to adopt artificial intelligence while respecting cultural values in member societies.
Globally, this work provides a model that shows how cultural values can enhance technological progress rather than limit it. The ISESCO approach gives an example that other regions can benefit from to preserve their peculiarities while keeping pace with digital transformation, and international discussions are also enriched on developing responsible artificial intelligence. As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the life of human beings, such approaches may be necessary to ensure that technology serve all humanity of humanity while respecting the pillars of various cultures in the world.
