Pope Leo XIV, in his first encyclical ‘Magnifica Humanitas’ published on May 15, 2026, warned that artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping human life, work, politics, and identity, raising moral questions similar to those of the industrial revolution. His message has resonated across the Muslim world, where scholars in Qatar, Malaysia, and Indonesia are increasingly engaging with the ethical and social implications of AI.

Islamic ethicists are exploring how concepts such as ‘takrim’ (human honor), ‘khilafah’ (stewardship), and ‘amanah’ (moral responsibility) define human dignity and accountability in the age of automation. They emphasize that moral responsibility cannot be transferred to machines and that AI should not be treated as an ultimate power, given the Islamic principle of ‘tawhid’ (oneness of God). The debate also extends to political and economic concerns over data ownership, algorithmic control, and profit concentration.

Experts warn that AI’s growing centralization in a few private corporations could deepen global inequality, particularly affecting the Middle East, Africa, and the Global South. They call for a coordinated ethical dialogue across Muslim societies to ensure that technology upholds justice and human dignity.