The Muslim World League’s event in New York: “AI for Everyone: Faith, Human Dignity, and Artificial Intelligence”
Main Session 2: AI and Global Development
Moderator:
Dr. Amra Sabic-El-Rayess
Teachers College, Columbia University
Speakers:
* Ms. Laura Herman — Dalberg Advisors
* Mr. Antón Leis García — United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
* Ambassador Roya Rahmani — World Bank Group
Key points discussed:
- The rapid spread of technology, which has now reached six billion people, while another 2.2 billion remain without access. This has created a gap and unequal access to AI.
- AI has helped advance fields including health, education, the economy, employment, agriculture, food security, the environment, climate, cities, infrastructure, government services, and social development. Concerns remain, however, about its unregulated use. Its success therefore requires protecting privacy, reducing bias, developing human skills, and setting rules for responsible use.
- The true value of AI lies not in its technical capabilities alone, but in how people use them. The future of development depends on balancing innovation with responsibility and technological progress with human values, so that AI serves people, improves their quality of life, and helps build more prosperous, just, and sustainable societies.
- Faith-based institutions and organizations, including the Muslim World League, are important partners in building trust, promoting coexistence, and developing ethical standards that respect religious values and human dignity.
- Key opportunities for cooperation include establishing standards for evaluating AI models from the perspective of religious ethics and preparing young people for work in the age of AI.
