Faith leaders and civil society organizations have joined forces under the auspices of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace to initiate a commission that aims to play a pivotal role in shaping the global regulation of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The Faith and Civil Society commission, launched in London with the backing of UK consultancy Good Faith Partnership, seeks to bridge the gap between the public, policymakers, and technology companies to ensure a responsible and inclusive approach to AI governance.
Faith and civil society commission – Advocating for inclusive AI regulation
The commission, led by Sheikh Al Mahfoudh bin Bayyah, secretary general of the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, aims to address the critical communication gaps between various stakeholders in the AI regulatory landscape. Concerns over data privacy, disinformation, and potential exclusion of minority communities often take a back seat to discussions about the long-term existential risks posed by AI.
The commission strives to bring the voices of faith leaders and minority groups to the forefront of AI regulatory discussions, ensuring that civil society is not overlooked in shaping the future of technology.
Collaborating with UAE universities, the commission is set to raise awareness of AI among Muslim communities in the Global South. By fostering knowledge exchange, the initiative aims to empower these communities to leverage AI for the betterment of their societies. Sheikh Al Mahfoudh bin Bayyah envisions the commission as a “caravan of faith” that will engage with representatives from African governments, the Vatican, and Silicon Valley in the coming months, fostering collaborations that could help prevent the co-optation of AI by extremists.
AI summit reflections and concerns for data protection
The commission’s launch comes in the wake of the UK’s Safety in AI Summit, which emphasized a “human-centered” approach to AI technology. While welcoming the summit’s commitments, commission members expressed concerns about the exclusion of voices from civil society and minority communities in the discussions.
Kate Devlin of Humanists UK highlighted the technocratic nature of current AI discourse and the underrepresentation of global perspectives, urging a more inclusive approach to address on-the-ground issues like job implications, outsourcing, and sustainability.
Maria Harb from the NGO Stop the Traffik shared insights into using AI to combat online disinformation and human trafficking. Despite the positive impact, she stressed the importance of acknowledging data privacy concerns associated with prevention programs targeting individuals through social media adverts. Saqib Bhatti, a junior minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, assured a collaborative approach to AI regulation, emphasizing the need for collective values and shared responsibility.
Can faith shape the narrative of AI regulation?
In the dynamic realm of Artificial Intelligence, the Faith and Civil Society commission emerges as a beacon of hope for an inclusive and ethical approach to regulation. As the commission navigates the global landscape, collaborating with diverse stakeholders from Mauritania to Silicon Valley, its mission to amplify the voices of civil society and minority communities in AI discussions is paramount.
This faith-led initiative’s central question is whether it can successfully navigate the fine line between ethical concerns and technological innovation, paving the way for a time when everyone may benefit from AI while reducing its possible drawbacks.
In a world racing ahead with technology, the commission’s commitment to building bridges of knowledge and fostering collaboration reflects a shared vision for a more humane AI. As they address issues ranging from data privacy to societal implications, the legacy of this initiative hinges on its ability to influence not just regulations but the very ethos underpinning the development of Artificial Intelligence.
Can this “caravan of faith” guide us toward a future where the evolution of AI is not only groundbreaking but also deeply rooted in the values and diverse perspectives of the global community? Only time will unveil the answer as this faith-backed endeavor continues to shape the narrative of AI regulation on a global scale.
