Uzbek Muslim Authority Warns Against Using AI for Religious Guidance

Uzbek Muslim Authority Warns Against Using AI for Religious Guidance
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Uzbekistan’s highest Islamic authority has issued a warning against using artificial intelligence tools—particularly ChatGPT—for answers to religious and theological questions. In an official statement, the Muslim Board of Uzbekistan cautioned that relying on AI in matters of faith could lead to serious misconceptions and the spread of inaccurate religious information.

“AI, despite its usefulness in various fields, lacks spiritual insight and cannot grasp the depth of Islamic jurisprudence or the nuances of religious texts,” the statement read. The board stressed that such technologies may provide incorrect rulings, misattribute religious sources, or cite unauthentic material, posing a risk to the integrity of Islamic teachings.

The body emphasized that only qualified scholars—who combine religious knowledge with piety—are authorized to issue fatwas and provide guidance. It rejected the notion of “digital ijtihad” as a substitute for traditional religious authority.

This warning follows similar concerns raised in neighboring Kyrgyzstan, where researchers have criticized AI tools for confusing local languages, highlighting broader issues around cultural and religious representation. Uzbek officials concluded by urging Muslims to seek religious knowledge from trusted scholars, warning that unchecked technological tools could compromise both faith and understanding in an age of rapid information exchange.