The evolution of AI and its rapid growth has continued to influence the structure of the world. Starting with the beating of the World Chess Champion, Garry Kasparov by an AI called Deep Blue in 1997, to Watson’s victory over two most popular champions of Jeopardy (an American television game show by millions of people), Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter in 2011 and the AlphaGo (an AI) beating Lee Sedol (the most decorated Go player in the history of Chinese Go) in 2016, Artificial Intelligence has become an integer of modern realities. AI cannot only compete with humans successfully in some specific tasks and activities, but it can also compete for superiority against itself. Today the boundary between reality and fiction continues to get blurred due to AI. It is now an era of deepfake in which both the real and the unreal are submerged in a mirage. This, of course, has serious implications for many spheres of the contemporary world, including the socio-religious realm. Perhaps a look at 2024 Miss AI may position this conversation in a better light.

The World AI Creator Awards (WAICA) recently hosted an AI pageant competition that featured 1500 virtual models to compete in specific areas like beauty, tech skills and social clout. At the end of the competition, Kenza Layli, a "Muslim Arab" virtual model created by a Moroccan company, won the competition, securing a $13000 prize. She won this competition ahead of Lalina (a French AI model and first runner-up) and Olivia (a Portuguese AI model and second runner-up) to become the 2024 Miss AI. This event raises profound questions about the intersection of artificial intelligence, cultural representation and Islamic ethics.

First Things First, Inclusion is Good

The involvement of Muslim nations in AI trends and the integration of Muslim heritages into AI innovations are very commendable trajectories. This is because the penetration of Artificial Intelligence into the modern world has made it a necessity for every serious community to key into the development so as not to fall off the radar. Seeing a global competition of AI creations with a stake in Muslim heritage depicts excellent multicultural representations, even if that comes at the expense of a high risk of cultural misappropriations. That Kenza Layli, which, regardless of its attendant debates, can depict a Muslim woman AI model in such innovations and still be adjudged as the winner, manifests the relevance of Muslim images in salient modern conversations.

But a Muslim-Arab Model?!

In Islam, beauty is not merely skin deep. It transcends our perceived figments of colours and smoothness. It is not like the Western construction of beauty, which is skewed towards objectification and attraction. The Islamic faith prioritizes inner beauty, character, and piety over physical appearance. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, "Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions" (Sahih Muslim, 2564). This foundational principle stands in stark contrast to the very concept of a beauty pageant, virtual or otherwise.

The creation of a "Muslim Arab" AI model for such a competition is particularly problematic. While it may seem like a step towards representation, it has great tendencies to undermine the rich heritage of Muslim women and relegate them to a digital caricature. Islam teaches us to value the uniqueness of every individual as a creation of Allah. An AI model, no matter how sophisticated, cannot capture the depth of faith, character, and lived experiences that define a Muslim woman's identity.

That notwithstanding, the nucleus of beauty competitions, as conventionally practised, conflicts with Islamic teachings on bashfulness, modesty and humility. The Quran instructs both men and women to lower their gaze and guard their modesty as unambiguously stated in Quran 24:30-31. The Prophet also corroborates this fact when he says, “Bashfulness leads to nothing but good” (Bukhari 6117). Therefore, participating in or promoting activities that objectify the human form, even in digital space, goes against these principles.

Reengaging AI for Muslims

As Muslims, we are taught that we are Allah's vicegerents on Earth. We are entrusted with the responsibility of using our God-given intellect and creativity for the betterment of society. The development of AI technology certainly falls within the realm of human innovation, which Islam encourages us to explore and enjoy. However, we must question whether creating artificial beings for beauty contests aligns with our ethical obligations and the higher purposes of technological advancement.

The societal impact of such events cannot be discounted. They risk perpetuating unrealistic beauty standards and further detaching our perceptions of beauty from the diverse reality of human forms. This is particularly concerning in a world where many already struggle with body image issues and where homes are in wreckage for most insignificant reasons. With the menace of capitalism and the confusion of gender roles, the Muslim ummah should not allow AI to add further damage to the existing ones. As we navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, it is crucial that we do not lose sight of our moral compass. Technology should be a means to enhance a Muslim’s dignity, not diminish it. Instead of creating virtual models for beauty pageants, we could channel these creative and technological resources into solving real-world problems, promoting education, or preserving our cultural heritage in ethical ways.