Artificial Intelligence and the Message of Humanity

The pace of modern civilisation is partly determined by how adept a nation can adapt to artificial intelligence (AI). In its development, today’s digitalisation has reached a crucial nadir. Technological acceleration, from Large Language Models systems to the integration of Intelligent Virtual Assistants (IVA) in the electronic devices we use, promises nearly limitless convenience. From there, we can sense that today’s technology offers great opportunities for national advancement, efficiency in public services, improved quality of education, health, and economic empowerment of the people. However, behind all that, we ourselves are demanded not to forget the message of humanity: preserving human dignity as khalifah fil ard. It must be emphasised that digital transformation must be civilised to ensure its process is centred on human values and justice. Recently, an incident at the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) served as a loud alarm for the world of education. A graduate named Andre Mai openly displayed that his entire thesis work was the result of full automation from generative AI technology. Shortly afterwards, the action led to the revocation of his academic degree by the campus authorities. This case represents the collapse of intellectual honour when humans consciously surrender full thinking sovereignty to inference machines like LLMs. For us in Indonesia, the Andre Mai incident is a cracked mirror that must be heeded and mitigated. If our education and bureaucracy systems only worship instant results without caring about the process and originality, then we are producing a generation that is artificially intelligent but stunted in character. In fact, true education should shape character, critical reasoning, and wisdom in acting. Islam has provided a complete and profound ethical framework through maqasid syariah. According to the Chairman of the Majelis Tarjih and Tajdid of PP Muhammadiyah, Syamsul Anwar, the core meaning of the word Maqashid is the intent, will, or objective that sharia seeks to achieve through its legal provisions. Maqasid syariah is the ‘meaning’ embedded in sharia to realise benefits for humans in this world and the hereafter. In the context of artificial intelligence, maqasid syariah becomes a highly relevant compass. The maqasid statements related to primary needs are five: protection of religion (hifz ad-din), protection of life (hifz an-nafs), protection of intellect (hifz al-aql), protection of progeny (hifz an-nasl), and protection of property (hifz al-mal) must be the primary measure. AI must not damage religion through the spread of hoaxes or distortions of teachings, threaten lives through biased decisions, let alone uncontrolled autonomous systems. Even more so, AI must not dull our thinking abilities through excessive dependence or replacement of critical thinking processes as in the Andre Mai case. Global reality has provided many lessons. In the United States, the COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions) system for assessing recidivism risk has been proven to discriminate against black defendants. Artificial intelligence technology in the health sector has also disadvantaged black patients due to historical data biases. Major technology companies like Amazon once cancelled their AI recruitment system due to systemic gender bias. Meanwhile, in China, a ruling by the Hangzhou Intermediate Court limits unilateral dismissal of workers replaced solely by AI for efficiency, requiring companies to provide job transfers, retraining, and fair compensation. In Indonesia, AI’s potential is extraordinary for supporting da’wah, quality education, more equitable health services, and good governance. However, without a strong value framework, this progress risks weakening the nation’s character. Transparency, accountability, protection of personal data, and strong human oversight must be the primary principles. It is fitting that we together guide a civilised digital transformation. Artificial intelligence should strengthen the message of humanity, not erode it. Because ultimately, the measure of a nation’s progress is not only determined by the sophistication of its technology, but by its ability to preserve human dignity amid increasingly rapid technological developments.