Artificial intelligence is the Future, this future is already unfolding in front of us, and thus it has become essential to harness a forward-looking, proactive, and comprehensive way of approaching this intelligence in order to better shape our futures.
The Islamic world region is expected to only reap 2% of the total global benefits of Artificial Intelligence in 2030 Indeed, the Region is facing a hurdle: either embracing this technological disruption or standing on the sidelines.
Beyond 2030, it is estimated that the reach of technological development is driven at breakneck speed in the Islamic world, as states have begun to embrace the global shift towards advanced technologies. The annual growth in the contribution of AI will range from 20-34% per year in the region.
In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, the Islamic World stands at the precipice of a groundbreaking era with the advent of Artificial Intelligence (AI). With profound potential to shape the futures, AI has emerged as transformative forces, transcending conventional boundaries of human experience and interaction.
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His Excellency Dr. Salim M. AlMalik
Director-General of ICESCO
It is with profound honor and deep reverence that I address you today on this momentous occasion—the regional workshop of the Islamic World Artificial Intelligence Charter for the Middle East and Asia. We are gathered here today to propel our region towards new heights of technological advancement and global leadership.
Reflecting on history, from the year 813 to 1455, the Islamic World stood at the forefront of global innovation. During this golden age, our scholars and scientists pioneered advancements in science, medicine, mathematics, and philosophy, laying the groundwork for modern civilization. However, in 1455, our region, gripped by hesitation, overlooked the revolutionary Gutenberg printing press—an invention that spurred unprecedented progress in other parts of the world. Today, as AI reshapes the global landscape, we are resolved not to repeat the oversight of the past but to emerge as trailblazers in this new technological frontier.
Let us take a moment to contemplate our current reality. Today, the global AI market is projected to grow by 33% annually. Looking forward to 2025, forecasts indicate that AI will inevitably disrupt the job market, potentially eliminating approximately 85 million jobs. However, it will also create an estimated 97 million new jobs, resulting in a net gain of 12 million jobs. By the year 2030, AI is expected to drive global economic growth by an impressive 14%. The AI market size is anticipated to grow by at least 120% year-over-year. This transformative impact extends beyond mere statistics; it permeates the very fabric of our existence. Indeed, AI has become an omnipresent force, integrated into 77% of the devices we currently use.
As we are all aware of, In the midst of a global technological revolution, a vigorous AI race is underway. At ICESCO, we firmly believe that the Islamic World is uniquely poised to lead this charge. Projections indicated that by 2030, the Islamic World's share of the global AI market could amount to a mere 2 percent. This estimate, made several years ago, preceded the significant strides our region has since made in AI.
Indeed, interest in artificial intelligence has been burgeoning in the region for some time, with several of nations announcing national AI strategies and seemingly exploring the potential of this technology, from achieving high rankings in global AI indexes and establishing specialized AI governmental entities, this signals a clear intent from several of our member states, in harnessing foresight to prioritize AI at the highest echelons of governance.
Artificial Intelligence stands as the beacon of our future, a future already unfolding before our eyes. The transformative impact of Artificial Intelligence is undeniable. It has ushered in a digital revolution across education, culture, and the sciences, significantly advancing domains closely aligned with ICESCO's expertise.
In recognition of this transformative power, ICESCO has placed great emphasis on Artificial Intelligence. This commitment is evident in our a forward-looking, proactive, and comprehensive AI Strategy, action plans, and executive programs tailored for our member states. Among ICESCO's foremost priorities are strategic governance and ethical dimensions for the benefit of its member states, as well as a commitment to enriching Arabic digital content.
Guided by our vision and strategic orientations, and with a focus on foresight, the General Directorate of ICESCO has been entrusted unanimously by its member states to elaborate the Islamic World Artificial Intelligence Charter (IWAIC).
At the core of this initiative is fostering the culture of anticipation and foresight, coupled with the creation of a comprehensive regional agreement that acknowledges the unique ethical considerations of our region. It highlights the need for an ethical framework specifically designed for the Islamic world, offering unique perspectives and fostering opportunities for knowledge access and the empowerment of the region’s youth.
In the dynamic and rapidly evolving field of AI, it is crucial to address the known, unknown, and unknowable through governance that prioritizes humanity. Through this collective agreement, our 53 member states are set to anchor their AI initiatives within a dynamic framework of shared values.
As we navigate the digital age, it is often said that "Data is the oil for our generation." In this context, ICESCO emphasizes the importance of utilizing data that accurately represents our region to ensure that AI technologies are not only effective but also reflective of the specific needs and unique aspects of the region.
Today's workshop marks the genesis of an ambitious endeavour the formulation of a comprehensive AI charter tailored to the unique cultural, ethical, and developmental contexts of the Islamic World.
Together, we have the opportunity to shape a future where AI development and deployment in the Islamic world is both innovative and ethically sound. If and only if we commit to leveraging AI as a tool for positive transformation, guided by the ethical tenets of our faith and the aspirations of our people.
We trust that this workshop will lay the foundation for a cohesive and forward-looking AI strategy that empowers the Islamic world to thrive in the digital age.
May our deliberations be fruitful, and may our efforts be blessed with success. Thank you,
HE. Dr. Saeed bin Hamed Al Rubaie
Vice Chancellor of the University of Technology and Applied Sciences
The Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) and the University of Technology and Applied Sciences place significant emphasis on the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and its ethical use. This commitment is reflected in their annual and strategic plans and their initiatives. Among the most prominent joint initiatives is the development of an Ethical Charter for Artificial Intelligence in the Islamic World. This charter will be one of the key outputs of the ICESCO Research Chair for AI Ethics, which is established in 2024 and hosted by the University of Technology and Applied Sciences in the Sultanate of Oman. This chair was established to contribute to efforts addressing ethical issues that arise alongside the emergence of AI applications, particularly generative AI, and to support scientific research in this field as well as localize and deploy AI technologies
In this context, this regional workshop is organized with the participation of experts from 23 countries, who will highlight and present their countries› experiences in AI governance, the ethics of its use, and the deployment and localization of AI technologies in the regions of Asia and the Middle East. The workshop aims to produce a preliminary draft of the Islamic World Charter on AI Ethics through the discussion sessions and the accompanying workshops on July 2 and 2024 ,3, in Muscat, Oman. Additionally, the workshop aligns with the national directives to accelerate the development of national legislation that will contribute to making AI technologies one of the fundamental enablers and main catalysts for the economic, industrial, and production sectors in the Sultanate of Oman.
Dr. Said bin Salim Jaboob
Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University for Postgraduate Studies, Scientific Research, and Innovation
The university, through organizing and hosting this workshop in collaboration with ICESCO and the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology in the Sultanate of Oman, aims to deepen dialogue and cooperation among stakeholders, and to review the diverse experiences and perspectives of participants with the goal of contributing to the drafting of the preliminary version of the Charter of AI Ethics for the Islamic countries
The workshop agenda will feature a series of practical sessions that discuss and analyze participants› insights to incorporate best practices related to AI ethics. The workshop will include a series of discussions focusing on rational analysis to establish guidelines for the ethical and responsible development of AI in terms of model design and training, aiming to reduce bias that may arise from the data or algorithms that are used.
The workshop will bring together various AI sector actors, including representatives from prestigious organizations, IT and AI experts, stakeholders in advanced technology, civil society members, PhD students, and representatives from companies involved in AI development. This comprehensive and diverse approach will facilitate a rich and inclusive discussion on the ethical dimensions of AI in the Islamic countries.
Dr. Musab Alrawi
Director of the ICESCO Chair on Artificial Intelligence Ethics at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences- UTAS
Dr. Musab Alrawi is a distinguished academic and researcher specializing in AI and robotics, with a solid foundation in computer engineering and information technology. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Mosul University in 2004, a Master of Science in Information Technology from the University Utara Malaysia in 2009, and a PhD in Image Processing from Universiti Teknologi MARA in 2015.
Currently, Dr. Alrawi is the Director of the ICESCO Research Chair for Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics at the University of Technology and Applied Science in the Sultanate of Oman (January 2024 - Present). Previously, he served as a Senior Lecturer at the College of Computing & Information Sciences at the same university (March 2022 - January 2024). His prior positions include Associate Professor in Computer Engineering at Halic University in Istanbul, Turkey (November 2020 - March 2022), Visiting Professor in the Computer and Cybersecurity Department at International Information Technology University in Kazakhstan (September 2020 – March 2022), and Assistant Professor in Computer Science & Engineering at Management and Science University in Shah Alam, Malaysia (May 2013 – May 2020).
Dr. Alrawi’s research interests encompass Ethical AI, Robotics Technology Development and Design, Iris Recognition Systems, Computer Hardware, Artificial Intelligence, Image Processing, Embedded System Wireless Sensors, and Biomedical Applications. His commitment to these fields underscores his valuable contributions to the academic community.
His Excellency Dr. Ali Amur Al Shidhani
Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology at the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology
Undersecretary for Communications and Information Technology at the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology emphasized the importance of this workshop in establishing the legal frameworks for the ethical use of artificial intelligence. He stated: «Creating an ethical charter for artificial intelligence in the Islamic world, especially given the global advancements in AI usage, will contribute to addressing the ethical issues that arise with AI applications. It will also provide a safe environment for the use and dissemination of AI across all economic and social sectors contributing to the economic diversification efforts. This initiative will significantly enhance the outcomes of the National Digital Economy Program and the Executive Program for Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Technologies, in line with the royal directives.» He further added, «The Islamic World Artificial Intelligence Charter will mark a pivotal moment in the development of AI in the Islamic world, fostering a culture of anticipation and foresight. It will also establish a comprehensive regional agreement that considers the region›s unique ethical foundations related to AI. This charter will provide an organized framework specifically designed to address the widespread impacts and risks of AI in the Islamic world.»Moreover, Dr. Al Shidhani mentioned that the charter will be overseen by the ministry, which is currently updating ethical policies related to AI to keep pace with the rapid advancements in the field
