FEZ: The Secretary-General of the Islamic World Federation on Tuesday called for a unified ethical framework to govern artificial intelligence in a keynote speech at a major international conference in Morocco.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa was speaking at the opening of a conference entitled “The Future of Human Civilization in the Age of Artificial Intelligence” organized by the European Mediterranean University in Fez.
The event attracted over 2,000 participants, bringing together world-renowned figures, including the High Representative of the United Nations Union of Civilizations, and scholars and thinkers from 75 countries.
In his speech, Al-Issa emphasized the importance of the conference’s theme, saying it is central to “understanding the evolution of human civilization and its intellectual transformation.”
He traced this trajectory from the knowledge revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries, when scientific thinking expanded beyond traditional frameworks, to the current AI revolution, which transformed machines from data storage tools to systems capable of analyzing and generating ideas.
He noted that the foundations of experimental scientific methods were laid centuries ago by Muslim scholars, and said current technological changes represent a new pivotal moment in human development.
Al-Issa said that for advances in AI to be a force for good, they must be guided by common human values.
He also warned of the risks of an unregulated system, particularly in sensitive areas such as religion, race and culture, and warned that misuse could fuel division, hatred and conflict.
He called for clear ethical standards to be established before the development of AI systems, as well as greater transparency and accountability for companies operating in this field. He also emphasized the need for strict limits in high-risk areas, especially those involving important decision-making, and argued that ultimate authority should remain in human hands.
Al-Issa distinguished between humans and machines, saying that while humans have the freedom to think and reach sound conclusions, AI systems are completely shaped by the data and inputs they receive, whether accurate or misleading.
He added that such systems lack awareness and independent will and therefore cannot be treated as autonomous entities.
He concluded by pointing out that technology ultimately reflects human choices and values within the parameters set by its developers.
