AI: A Double-Edged Sword for Religious Freedom

Published Date : 07/11/2024 

As authoritarian regimes continue to seek new ways to control their citizens, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in religious freedom becomes increasingly significant. This article explores both the positive and negative implications of AI on religious communities and the steps being taken to safeguard these rights. 

The world is currently grappling with some of the most challenging issues since World War II. Ongoing conflicts, growing security threats, societal polarization, rising populism, and radical extremism are just a few of the pressing concerns. Amid these challenges, the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies is both exciting and alarming. While there is much to celebrate, AI also poses significant threats to religious freedom.AI is already being misused for disinformation, fake news, and surveillance, all of which directly impact religious communities that are already under extreme pressure. To overcome these injustices and repressions, it is essential to stay one step ahead. This means understanding AI and developing systems that can disrupt immoral applications and strengthen the fight for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB).In October, the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Alliance (IRFBA) convened in Berlin for its annual ministerial, hosted by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Frank Schwabe, a member of the Bundestag and commissioner for global freedom of religion, led a compelling conference on the implications of AI for FoRB. The IRFBA, also known as the Article 18 Alliance, is a coalition of 43 countries committed to defending and advancing religious freedom for all.The conference highlighted the daunting task ahead given the rapid pace of AI developments and the wide range of its applications. However, the challenge is one that cannot be ignored. The world is moving towards a future where AI will play a significant role in various sectors, including the workplace, healthcare, security, environmental concerns, and even religious life.Frank Schwabe and I issued a joint communiqué reaffirming our commitment to addressing these issues. The communiqué calls for a multi-stakeholder dialogue involving governments, civil society, religious actors, and tech companies. This dialogue will focus on conducting deeper human rights impact assessments in tech companies, explicitly addressing FoRB and its connection to other human rights, and developing a taxonomy of how behavior related to religion or belief manifests online.Human history is a testament to our remarkable capacity for creativity, science, and progress. However, it also serves as a warning that technological advances often come with significant negative consequences. The greatest advancements can also pose existential threats to humanity. Our drive for progress must be balanced with a strong determination to guard against these threats. This is not about stifling progress but ensuring that our creations serve us rather than diminish us.In a world where authoritarian regimes are constantly seeking new ways to control their citizens, free and democratic nations must take the lead in technological advancements, including generative AI. Our first priority should be to model morally courageous leadership and to establish legal frameworks and safeguards around AI-powered technology. We must hold bad actors accountable for their abuses and explore new applications that can identify and predict threats to religious communities, recognize and intervene when AI is used to generate hate content, and preserve threatened religious heritage sites.Growing up in Communist Czechoslovakia, I recognize that the repressive tyrannies seen today are not new. They simply have more powerful tools at their disposal. As religious freedom advocates, campaigners, and freedom-advancing governments, we have a responsibility to engage with vision, creativity, and determination. We must ensure that AI developments are harnessed to preserve, defend, and advance the value and dignity of all human beings, regardless of their religious identity or beliefs.I am excited to stand together with my colleagues from the Article 18 Alliance to take on this challenge and opportunity. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

Q: What is the International Freedom of Religion or Belief Alliance (IRFBA)?

A: The IRFBA, also known as the Article 18 Alliance, is a coalition of 43 countries that work together to defend and advance religious freedom for all. It is named after Article 18 of the U.N.'s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

Q: How can AI be misused to threaten religious freedom?

A: AI can be misused for disinformation, fake news, and surveillance. These applications can directly impact religious communities that are already under pressure, leading to further repression and injustice.

Q: What steps are being taken to address the misuse of AI for religious freedom?

A: The IRFBA has issued a joint communiqué calling for a multi-stakeholder dialogue. This includes conducting deeper human rights impact assessments, developing a taxonomy of behavior related to religion or belief, and exploring applications to identify and predict threats to religious communities.

Q: Why is it important to connect experts in AI and ethics with political decision-makers?

A: Connecting experts in AI and ethics with political decision-makers is crucial to ensure that technological advancements are used responsibly and ethically. This collaboration helps in developing systems that can disrupt immoral applications and strengthen the fight for freedom of religion or belief.

Q: How can AI be used to preserve religious heritage sites?

A: AI can be used to map religious heritage sites in great detail, helping to identify and predict threats to these sites. This information can be used to take proactive measures to preserve and protect them from destruction. 

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