Using AI for complex religious answers? Best to check with a qualified asatizah: Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs on religious guidance

Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Zaqy Mohamad advised in Parliament that while generative AI and online platforms can make religious knowledge more accessible, they should not be the primary source of religious guidance. When complex religious matters arise, he emphasized the need to consult a qualified asatizah or other trustworthy sources for scholarly interpretation and contextual understanding.

MUIS has been reinforcing this message through various channels, including Friday sermons, public talks, and the MuslimSG platform, and will continue to provide practical guidance through social media and community partners to strengthen digital religious literacy.

In response to concerns raised by MP Saktiandi Supaat, Zaqy acknowledged that there is room for improvement in accessibility to qualified asatizah and timely verification of AI-generated religious answers. He highlighted that MUIS is working on upgrading the MuslimSG platform to make it more interactive and accessible. Additionally, MUIS is training its teachers to work with technology, including generative AI, to better understand its effects and how to use it effectively.

Asatizah can be accessed through the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) website, and individuals can also directly approach MUIS for religious guidance.

Dr Wan Rizal, a PAP MP, questioned whether MUIS could establish a dedicated unit to monitor the internet for religious misinformation before it gained traction in the community. Zaqy acknowledged the challenge, stating that an ideal solution with unlimited resources might be possible, but the vastness of the internet makes it very difficult to identify and address every site or source.

Instead, he emphasized the importance of identifying themes that resonate with people but may be false or not contextualized to Singapore, particularly those that run against the spirit of inclusivity and Singapore's multiracial and multireligious context.

Zaqy also noted the unique challenge posed by generative AI, which derives its information from various algorithms rather than a single source. He compared this to the risk of self-styled influencers disseminating religious information. He concluded that the focus should be on "inoculating" Muslims with the knowledge and skills to recognize and address the risks associated with such misinformation, rather than solely focusing on policing algorithms.