Artificial intelligence is rapidly emerging as the defining technology of our age, reshaping economies, education, governance, and global power structures. Yet, as Dr. Waleed Kadous argues, the Muslim community faces a defining challenge: how to respond wisely to a technological revolution that is transforming nearly every aspect of human life.
In this CIK Talk, Rising to the Challenge of AI: Technology Sovereignty, the Ummah, and the Individual, Dr. Kadous examines AI not merely as another technological innovation, but as a meta-technology capable of accelerating progress across virtually every field while reshaping the future of work, education, communication, and society itself. He argues that AI represents one of the great fitan of our age, a test that presents both extraordinary opportunities and profound risks.
Drawing upon the Qur'an, the Prophetic model, and lessons from Islamic history, the lecture explores how Muslims have previously responded to transformative technologies, including writing, the printing press, radio, television, the internet, and social media. These historical experiences provide valuable guidance for navigating the AI revolution with wisdom (hikmah), confidence, and ethical clarity.
The discussion also examines the growing importance of technology sovereignty, the ability of communities to shape and maintain digital infrastructure that reflects their values rather than remaining dependent on external actors. Dr. Kadous explores how AI systems increasingly embed human values into technologies that millions rely upon every day, making Muslim engagement in AI research, governance, and development more important than ever.
Finally, the lecture offers practical guidance for action at three interconnected levels: the individual, the Muslim community (ummah), and our institutions. It highlights the responsibilities of scholars, technologists, educators, parents, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations to engage AI proactively, develop ethical frameworks, build indigenous technological capacity, and ensure these powerful tools serve knowledge, justice, and the common good.
Blending insights from AI engineering, public policy, and Islamic thought, this timely lecture offers a thoughtful framework for how Muslims can rise to one of the defining civilizational challenges of the twenty-first century.
In this CIK Talk, Rising to the Challenge of AI: Technology Sovereignty, the Ummah, and the Individual, Dr. Kadous examines AI not merely as another technological innovation, but as a meta-technology capable of accelerating progress across virtually every field while reshaping the future of work, education, communication, and society itself. He argues that AI represents one of the great fitan of our age, a test that presents both extraordinary opportunities and profound risks.
Drawing upon the Qur'an, the Prophetic model, and lessons from Islamic history, the lecture explores how Muslims have previously responded to transformative technologies, including writing, the printing press, radio, television, the internet, and social media. These historical experiences provide valuable guidance for navigating the AI revolution with wisdom (hikmah), confidence, and ethical clarity.
The discussion also examines the growing importance of technology sovereignty, the ability of communities to shape and maintain digital infrastructure that reflects their values rather than remaining dependent on external actors. Dr. Kadous explores how AI systems increasingly embed human values into technologies that millions rely upon every day, making Muslim engagement in AI research, governance, and development more important than ever.
Finally, the lecture offers practical guidance for action at three interconnected levels: the individual, the Muslim community (ummah), and our institutions. It highlights the responsibilities of scholars, technologists, educators, parents, community leaders, and nonprofit organizations to engage AI proactively, develop ethical frameworks, build indigenous technological capacity, and ensure these powerful tools serve knowledge, justice, and the common good.
Blending insights from AI engineering, public policy, and Islamic thought, this timely lecture offers a thoughtful framework for how Muslims can rise to one of the defining civilizational challenges of the twenty-first century.
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Dr. Waleed KadousDr. Waleed Kadous is a leading expert in artificial intelligence with over 25 years of experience in building and deploying AI systems. He completed his PhD in AI in 2000 and has held senior leadership roles across some of the world’s most influential technology companies.
Dr. Kadous founded Google’s Android Location and Sensing team—responsible for the widely recognized “blue dot”—and later led system architecture and machine learning initiatives at Uber. He has also served as Chief Scientist at multiple startups and led AI Engineering at Canva. His work is reflected in more than 40 patents across AI and related technologies. In recent years, Dr. Kadous has focused on the intersection of artificial intelligence, Islam, and ethics. He is the creator of Ansari, an Islamic AI assistant, and developed the “AI for Imams” course, aimed at equipping Islamic leaders with the tools to navigate emerging technological challenges. His work reflects a commitment to ensuring that AI is developed and applied in ways that are ethically grounded and socially beneficial. |
