The Morality of Artificial Intelligence

The Morality of Artificial Intelligence

By Ahmad Tholabi Kharlie Professor & Vice Rector for Academic Affairs, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta

We are currently living in an era that Alvin Toffler (1980) called the "third wave of human civilization." Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially generative AI such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, has transformed the educational landscape in unprecedented ways.

A 2024 survey on the integrity perception (SPI) of education by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) revealed that 43% of respondents stated that plagiarism still occurs on campus. This data reflects a serious challenge in maintaining academic integrity in the digital age.

These numbers are not just cold statistics. They reflect a moral crisis currently afflicting our education system. As Imam al-Ghazali once said in Ihya 'Ulum al-Din, "Knowledge without action is madness, and action without knowledge is futility." Now we face a new paradox: what if knowledge itself is acquired through means whose legitimacy is questionable?

The Moderate Path

Islam teaches us to always weigh the benefits (manfaat) and harms (mudarat) in every action. AI, undeniably, brings tremendous benefits for the welfare of the ummah (community). AI can help students understand complex concepts, provide new perspectives in research, and even assist in translating difficult classical Arabic texts.

However, on the other hand, the harms it poses cannot be ignored. When students use AI to write their final assignments without understanding the substance of what is written, what occurs is not knowledge transfer, but the transfer of empty information. Knowledge, from an Islamic perspective, is not merely an accumulation of data but wisdom internalized within the soul.

So, what should be our stance? A total ban on AI use is a naive and counterproductive stance. Conversely, allowing its uncontrolled use is dangerous. Islam teaches us to take the moderate path (wasathiyyah).

  1. The principle of shiddiq (honesty) requires transparency in the use of AI. Anyone using AI in their academic work must cite sources and explain the extent to which AI was used. The Faculty of Adab and Humanities at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta has begun implementing this policy by requiring students to fill out an "AI disclosure form" for every submitted assignment.

  2. The principle of amanah (trustworthiness/responsibility) demands full accountability for the work produced. Even with AI assistance, students must still understand and be able to be accountable for every sentence in their work. As the Prophet SAW said, "Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible for his flock."

  3. The principle of al-'adl (justice) requires us to ensure that the use of AI does not create inequality. Not all students have equal access to premium AI technology. Therefore, higher education institutions need to provide equitable access, perhaps through an "AI for All" program that allows the academic community to access AI technology for academic purposes.

Meaningful Integration

Various leading universities in Indonesia have begun to respond to this challenge with diverse approaches. UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta is a pioneer by forming the Artificial Intelligence and Literacy Innovation Institute (ALII) as a center for AI research, innovation, and literacy training that integrates Islamic values into technology development.

Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) is preparing an AI policy for lectures through "AI-Integrated Semester Learning Plan Model Exposition" and has formed a special task force to formulate rules for AI application on campus. ITB has had an AI Center established since 2019. Meanwhile, University of Indonesia has AICI (Artificial Intelligence Center Indonesia). Various other campuses such as UGM, Unair, and Binus have also developed special AI study programs. This shows that awareness of the importance of AI literacy has spread widely.

However, what distinguishes the approach of Islamic higher education institutions is the integration of religious moral values within the AI policy framework. It is not enough to merely understand the technical aspects, but also how this technology can be used in accordance with maqashid al-syari'ah (objectives of Sharia). The "AI Ethics Workshop" initiated by ALII UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, for example, not only teaches how to use AI but also how to integrate it with Islamic ethical values.

Ultimately, AI is a mirror that reflects the character of its user. If used with noble morals, AI will be a blessing. If used with bad intentions, AI will be a disaster.

The message of Rasulullah SAW regarding his prophetic mission, which was to perfect noble morals, remains relevant in this digital era. Technology may be sophisticated, but morals must remain noble. Because, in the end, it is not technology that will determine the future of civilization, but the morals of the human beings who use it.

(This article was published in Detikedu on Tuesday, July 8, 2025)