Let’s face it. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere, and judging by current events, it seems like it is here to stay. Ever since the launch of virtual assistants such as Siri in 2011 and Alexa shortly thereafter, the use of AI has skyrocketed. Today, it is built into search engines, software programs, and countless apps that many of us use every day. Often, without even realizing it, we are engaging with AI in real time while drafting documents, chatting with customer service bots, streaming videos, or ordering food online. For many of our children, these AI-powered tools have existed for their entire lives. For this reason, educators, parents, and caregivers must understand how AI works and learn how to teach young people to recognize AI-generated content.
Like any technological advancement, AI comes with potential risks. We know that AI can be a powerful tool for learning and creativity, but it can also be misused to spread misinformation, manipulate images and video, and blur the line between reality and fiction. Unfortunately, children are sometimes the targets of misleading or harmful AI-generated content. They are also susceptible to accepting what they see at face value. Rather than allowing children to learn about AI solely through exposure, it is preferable to prepare them in advance by explaining its drawbacks and potential dangers. With appropriate guidance, children can become critical thinkers who verify information rather than falling prey to confusion or deception.
What Exactly is AI?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to technologies that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as understanding language, recognizing patterns, or making predictions. One important branch of AI is generative AI, which has grown rapidly in recent years. Generative AI goes beyond analyzing information to actually creating new content, such as stories, essays, images, artwork, or videos, based on the instructions it receives and the repository of information it can access. It does this by learning patterns from enormous amounts of existing data and then using those patterns to produce new material that often looks or sounds surprisingly real. According to the World Economic Forum, much of the recent surge in AI development has been driven by these generative tools, which enable computers to produce text, images, and videos in response to user prompts.1 One need not be a computer scientist to fiddle with these tools, for they have become accessible to everyone, including children.
Generative AI is not without opposition. Many people raise concerns about its development and use for both environmental and ethical reasons. From an ecological perspective, AI requires extensive energy and cooling systems, which may contribute to resource depletion. Moral questions arise regarding copyright protection, as AI systems are trained on existing works created by authors, artists, and other professionals. As a result, many creatives worry that their work is being used without permission and that AI tools may eventually replace or reduce human employment opportunities, not only in the arts but also in other fields. There is also the potential for AI to be used to create false or misleading images, videos, and audio recordings that could deceive or harm others.
How Can We Help Our Children and Students Navigate AI?
As counterintuitive as it may seem, we may need to start using AI to teach our children about AI. First, we should familiarize ourselves with generative AI tools, how they work, and, most importantly, the types of prompts we should use to ensure ethical and responsible interaction. Once we understand the basics, we can begin introducing our children to the different AI technologies around them. For example, we can show children AI-generated images alongside real photographs and ask them to identify which is which. If you have ever seen the show “Is It Cake?”, you will know it is an entertaining program where talented bakers create cakes that resemble real-life objects. The audience must guess whether the item is the real object or a realistic cake. Similarly, we can place an AI-generated image next to a real one. Would you or your child be able to tell the difference? This activity can even become a fun family game night!
Likewise, have children read AI-generated text and then compare it with a short story written by a real author. Help them notice the patterns in computer-produced writing versus human writing. Explain the difference between using AI as a tool to improve grammar and relying on it to completely “write” something for you. Discuss why limitations and flaws are more likely to arise from a computer than from a thoughtful human being. Then invite them to reflect on the Quran’s challenge to humanity to produce something like it. Throughout history, no one has ever been able to meet this challenge, including AI. Allah says in the Quran:
“Say, ˹O Prophet,˺ “If ˹all˺ humans and jinn were to come together to produce the equivalent of this Quran, they could not produce its equal, no matter how they supported each other.” (Quran, 17:88)
Encourage children to use their imagination rather than rely on AI tools to do their thinking. Sadly, modern education systems and technology sometimes discourage deep thinking and creativity. When imagination is neglected, intelligence, exploration, and innovation can decline. Our Islamic tradition encourages us to use our intellect to discover, to reflect on creation, and to act as responsible stewards of the Earth. We should strive to create new avenues for good and thoughtfully question what is yet to be discovered. When we rely entirely on machines to think for us, we risk becoming intellectually passive. Children, especially, may choose the easiest path because play is naturally appealing. However, learning can also be a form of play, and play can be a powerful form of learning when guided with wisdom and purpose.
Considering AI a Sign of the Hour
Indeed, we are living in remarkable times, as we witness a rapid acceleration in technological shifts. The world has changed dramatically in only a few decades, and that can feel both exciting and frightening. As Muslims, we understand that these advancements may be among the signs that precede the Day of Judgment. The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, said:
“By the One in whose hand is my soul, the Hour will not be established until predators speak to humans, until the tip of a man’s whip and the strap of his sandal speak, and his thigh informs him of what his family has done in his absence.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi 2181)
Today, we can readily see how this description could apply to mobile devices, smart technologies, and artificial intelligence that “speak” to us and even inform us about what is happening in our homes and families. Artificial intelligence can be a blessing when used responsibly, but it may also contribute to confusion, misinformation, and deception when people rely on it blindly. As these technologies grow, Muslims must remain grounded in the Quran and Sunnah, strengthen their faith, and teach their children to think critically and independently.
Ultimately, our goal is not to fear technology, but to use it responsibly while remembering Allah, preparing for the Hereafter, and raising children who are thoughtful, imaginative, and sincere in their worship. AI will continue to advance, insha’Allah, but our responsibility to our Creator remains the same. We must hold firmly to our faith, protect our hearts, and guide the next generation with wisdom and trust in Allah.
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