ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVES ON AI AND CYBERSECURITY: DEVELOPING ETHICAL FRAMEWORKS FOR AUTONOMOUS SECURITY SYSTEMS

Abstract

The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous cybersecurity systems has created an urgent need for culturally sensitive ethical frameworks that address the diverse moral traditions of global communities, particularly as existing AI governance approaches have been predominantly Western-centric, leaving approximately 1.8 billion Muslims underserved by current ethical standards. This study develops and validates a comprehensive Islamic ethical framework for autonomous cybersecurity systems through expert consensus methodology, employing the Nominal Group Technique (NGT) with nine experts representing Islamic jurisprudence, cybersecurity, AI ethics, and technology policy to establish a four-construct framework integrating Maqāṣid al-Sharīʿah (objectives of Islamic law) with contemporary cybersecurity requirements. The framework encompasses Islamic Ethical Foundation (Akhlaq) with theological principles of Tawhid, Khilafah, Fitrah, Hikmah, and Adl; Maqasid al-Shariah operationalizing protective objectives of religion, life, intellect, progeny, and wealth; AI Governance Principles translating Islamic values into transparency, accountability, beneficence, non-maleficence, and privacy protection; and Cybersecurity Ethics addressing trust, proportionality, necessity, consent, and data sanctity. Expert consensus validation achieved above 70% agreement across all framework components, with individual constructs receiving 77.8% to 88.9% consensus, demonstrating systematic integration of Islamic principles with technical requirements while maintaining cultural authenticity and religious compliance, ultimately contributing to pluralistic approaches to AI ethics that respect diverse ethical traditions and promote human dignity in an increasingly digitized world.