Iran

Online webinar titled “Philosophy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A lifeline &nbsp;or a Luxury?” was held by the Scientific Association of Wisdom at the University of Razavi Islamic Sciences in cooperation with Imam Ali Research Institute. The event examined the relationship between philosophy, humanity, and artificial intelligence in the contemporary world.&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/Chat_GPT_Image_Jun_12_2026_09_45_49_AM_76888e0653.png"></figure>&nbsp;According to Astan News, the webinar was held on Monday, 8 June 2026, with Dr. Asadollah Rahmanzadeh, a philosophy researcher and professor at the University of California, as the speaker; Dr. Ahmad Maleki, head of the Imam Ali Research Institute, as an expert; and Professor Mohammadreza Karam-Rezaei as the scientific secretary.&nbsp;At the beginning of the session, Dr. Asadollah Rahmanzadeh referred to the main branches of philosophy in the Western tradition, stating that philosophy in the West is generally pursued in areas such as epistemology, ontology, ethics, aesthetics, metaphysics, and logic. Overall, it concerns reflection on the limits of human knowledge, truth, existence, and the ways of human life.&nbsp;He explained that philosophy begins by questioning what humans normally take for granted in everyday life, adding that people usually assume they already know what knowledge, ethics, and beauty are; however, philosophy begins precisely where these seemingly self-evident assumptions are questioned. According to him, philosophy entered a new stage with Socrates, who challenged the claims of those who considered themselves knowledgeable. Referring to the relationship between philosophy and artificial intelligence, he stated that many formal and logical structures developed in philosophy and logic are now used in AI technologies. First-order logic, probabilistic reasoning, inference, and rational planning are among the tools that play a role both in philosophical tradition and in AI modeling.&nbsp;Referring to the Turing Test and the problem of distinguishing humans from machines, Rahmanzadeh added that if a machine can behave in conversation in such a way that an external evaluator cannot distinguish it from a human, it is said to have passed the Turing Test. He emphasized that today this question has become more significant: if we reduce thinking merely to logic, formal reasoning, and information processing, where does the fundamental difference between humans and machines lie?&nbsp;He stressed that the crisis of the age of artificial intelligence lies in the distortion of the depth of philosophical thought and its relation to human existence. If humans are understood only in terms of instrumental rationality and formal structures, the boundary between human and machine will ultimately be weakened. According to him, in such a situation, philosophy can provide an opportunity to return to fundamental questions about human beings, meaning, truth, and human existence.&nbsp;In continuation of the session, Dr. Ahmad Maleki also expressed appreciation for the activities of the Scientific Association of Wisdom at the University of Razavi Islamic Sciences and defined philosophy from his perspective, saying: philosophy is the free method of discussion centered on human understanding and reason regarding existence and phenomena. Philosophy arises when humans, without bias, preconceptions, or personal interests, seek to understand truth. He added that philosophy is not merely a set of theories or historical schools of thought; rather, its essence lies in philosophizing itself—an authentic and free intellectual movement to discover reality. According to Maleki, different philosophical schools, despite significant differences, remain within the realm of philosophy as long as they do not depart from rational and logical methods.&nbsp;Referring to the relationship between religious philosophy and free thought, he stated that if someone enters philosophy with predetermined assumptions and then uses it merely to justify them, such an activity is no longer genuine philosophizing. However, this issue is not limited to religious philosophy; in many intellectual currents, philosophy may be used in service of power, desire, interests, or unexamined assumptions. Furthermore, Maleki stated that one of the features of this era is that humans compare themselves with artificial intelligence and experience an identity crisis. In this situation, the question of the difference between humans and machines becomes a fundamental issue. Emphasizing the distinction between humans and AI, he added that no matter how much data processing, analysis, and response capability AI may have, self-awareness in the true sense does not exist. In Islamic philosophy, the human soul possesses a kind of self-knowledge, and this self-awareness is considered one of the fundamental distinctions between humans and machines.&nbsp;Referring to the ethical challenges of the modern world, he noted that one characteristic of the present age is the weakening of the foundations of ethics. This does not simply mean an increase in unethical behavior, but rather that in many contemporary approaches, there is no longer a rational foundation for moral obligation, making it difficult for modern humans to engage in fundamental ethical dialogue.&nbsp;At the end of the session, the speakers emphasized that the age of artificial intelligence is not only a period of technological advancement but also an era that confronts humans with profound questions about truth, consciousness, ethics, meaning, and their place in the world—questions that cannot be answered without returning to philosophical thinking.&nbsp; https://news.razavi.ir/fa/news/709515/فلسفه-در-عصر-هوش-مصنوعی-ساحلی-برای-نجات-انسان-یا-یک-سرگرمی-بیهوده

Webinar “Philosophy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A lifeline or a Luxury?” held by University of Razavi Islamic Sciences 

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Philosophy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: A lifeline or a Luxury?

According to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting News Agency (IRIB News), Seyed Kamran Bagheri, CEO of Smileino, a knowledge-based company, stated that the growing use of artificial intelligence in everyday life and professional activities has highlighted the need for local AI tools tailored to the language, culture, and requirements of Iranian users. In response, Smileino has prioritized the development of Persian-language AI solutions.&nbsp;Referring to Zigap, one of the company's achievements, Bagheri explained that Zigap is a comprehensive intelligent assistant for Persian speakers, designed to address a wide range of user needs through a simple and user-friendly environment. The assistant enables users to perform many daily tasks, including interacting with AI, generating images, and other activities.&nbsp;<figure class="image image_resized" style="width:38.52%;"><img src="https://fiqhci.s3.ir-thr-at1.arvanstorage.com/image_19bde3bf2e.png"></figure>&nbsp;He added that Zigap will soon offer a broad range of digital services, significantly improving access to both public and private services. One of its key goals is to provide a Persian-language platform tailored to the needs of Iranian users, allowing them to benefit from AI services in various aspects of daily life without relying on foreign systems. Currently, more than 20 services are available through Zigap, serving approximately 2 million users.&nbsp;Bagheri also introduced Ham-Hoosh, a specialized AI platform designed to drive AI transformation within organizations and businesses. The platform leverages existing digital tools within organizations and integrates them with AI technologies, enabling significant productivity gains and substantial improvements in organizational management.&nbsp;Built on top of organizations' existing digital infrastructures, the platform helps businesses harness AI to solve core operational challenges in ways that were previously impossible. Bagheri noted that many organizations possess vast amounts of scattered data across numerous digital systems. However, understanding and effectively utilizing this data has remained a major challenge. He explained that Ham-Hoosh uses the latest advances in AI technology to interpret and analyze this data, enabling organizations to make better decisions and improve performance. This added value is especially important for large enterprises.&nbsp;According to Bagheri, Ham-Hoosh can be applied across various organizational functions, including customer support, operations, sales, maintenance, finance, procurement, and more. In addition to improving user experience, the platform provides senior executives with unprecedented managerial insights that were previously unimaginable. As a result, many large Iranian companies and organizations are already using Ham-Hoosh to significantly enhance their business operations.&nbsp;Emphasizing the role of knowledge-based companies in advancing strategic technologies, Bagheri stated that the development of indigenous AI products not only addresses domestic needs but also contributes to building a strong technology ecosystem, creating specialized employment opportunities, expanding software infrastructure, and increasing the share of the knowledge-based economy. He further stressed that investing in AI and supporting knowledge-based companies active in this field are among the most important prerequisites for maintaining a strong presence in future technological competition. Domestic teams and products can play a vital role in strengthening technological independence and developing national capabilities.&nbsp;Bagheri concluded by noting that products such as Zigap and Ham-Hoosh have been developed based on the expertise of Iranian specialists. Their widespread adoption, however, depends on increasing public awareness of local AI capabilities and strengthening the country's technology ecosystem through the support of relevant authorities and institutions.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.iribnews.ir/00OPs8">https://www.iribnews.ir/00OPs8</a>&nbsp;

A domestic knowledge-based company has successfully designed and developed two indigenous AI-based products to meet the needs of users and organizations 

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Expansion of Indigenous AI Solutions for Businesses

Tehran (IRNA) – A special research grant call titled “Religious Sciences and Knowledge: Islamic Theoretical Studies on Artificial Intelligence” has been announced for faculty members. Applicants may submit research proposals from June 7 to August 7, 2026.&nbsp;According to the National Science Foundation of Iran, artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the most advanced and influential technological achievements of the 21st century. Its impact extends far beyond scientific and industrial fields into nearly every aspect of human life, and this influence continues to expand rapidly. It can even be argued that AI has fundamentally changed the way people live. While AI initially appears to be a technology that serves humanity by dramatically increasing efficiency and productivity, a deeper examination reveals that it is reshaping the world and, consequently, transforming human beings themselves. This broad influence creates not only opportunities but also complex challenges that require careful and comprehensive study.&nbsp;The call invites faculty members from universities, seminaries, and recognized research institutions to submit proposals in the following priority areas.<h2>Priority Research Areas</h2><h3>1. Philosophical and Rational Studies of AI</h3><ul><li>Ontology of AI</li><li>Epistemology of AI</li><li>Logic of AI</li><li>Human foundations of AI (philosophy of mind and AI)</li><li>Value foundations of AI (AI ethics, etc.)</li><li>Psychology of AI</li><li>Cognitive science and AI</li></ul><h3>2. Theological and Religious Studies of AI</h3><ul><li>Theology of AI</li><li>Islamic theology (kalam) and AI</li><li>Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and AI</li><li>Religious studies and AI</li><li>Islamic studies and AI (Qur’anic studies, exegesis, principles of jurisprudence, Islamic history)</li></ul><h3>3. Legal and Economic Studies of AI</h3><ul><li>AI law (foundations, applications, development)</li><li>AI economics (foundations, applications, development)</li></ul><h3>4. Governance and Policy Studies of AI</h3><ul><li>AI governance</li><li>Cyberspace and AI</li><li>Security and AI</li><li>Cognitive warfare and AI</li><li>Politics and AI</li></ul><h3>5. Applied AI Studies</h3><ul><li>Strategies for using AI in religious studies and activities</li><li>Opportunities and challenges of AI adoption</li><li>AI in education</li><li>AI in religious outreach and preaching</li><li>AI in research</li><li>AI in judicial decision-making</li><li>AI in training and character development</li></ul><h3>6. Futures Studies of AI</h3><ul><li>Foundations of AI foresight and future studies</li><li>AI singularity</li><li>AI and future studies of religion and religiosity</li><li>Artificial life</li><li>Smart government and smart cities</li></ul><h3>7. Civilization, Society, and Culture Studies</h3><ul><li>Sociology of AI</li><li>Cultural studies of AI</li><li>Family and AI</li></ul><h3>8. AI and the Human and Islamic Sciences</h3><ul><li>Nature and identity of digital humanities and digital Islamic studies</li><li>Ontological, anthropological, epistemological, and theological foundations of digital humanities and Islamic sciences</li><li>AI-related issues in literature, sociology, psychology, linguistics, management, economics, political science, education, family studies, culture and civilization, and history</li></ul><h2>Eligibility</h2>Applicants must be active faculty members of:<ul><li>Universities,</li><li>Islamic seminaries,</li><li>Or research institutions approved by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology.</li></ul>Applicants should possess a relevant academic record in Islamic theoretical studies of AI. Those lacking direct expertise must collaborate with researchers knowledgeable in both AI and Islamic theoretical studies.<h3>Required Research Outputs</h3>Applicants must commit to delivering the following mandatory research outputs:<ul><li>One scholarly book presenting the project's theoretical framework, findings, and contributions.</li><li>Peer-reviewed research articles, including at least one of the following:<ul><li>Articles published in ISC-indexed academic journals; and/or</li><li>Articles published in reputable international journals indexed in recognized citation databases such as JCR, ISI (Web of Science), or Scopus.</li></ul></li></ul>Researchers may also propose additional outputs—such as policy briefs, educational materials, digital resources, conference presentations, or other scholarly products—where appropriate to the objectives and scope of the project. Such outputs will be evaluated based on their relevance, quality, and potential impact.<h2>Research Requirements</h2>To ensure focused and impactful work, proposals should be:<ul><li>Theory-building and innovative,</li><li>Addressing specific theoretical problems in AI,</li><li>Problem-oriented rather than overly broad,</li><li>Grounded in a thorough review of prior research.</li></ul><h2>Timeline</h2><ul><li>Call Opens: June 7, 2026&nbsp;</li><li>Submission Deadline: August 7, 2026&nbsp;</li></ul><h2>Funding</h2>The foundation will provide support of up to 1.5 times the amount of standard research grants, with a maximum funding level of approximately 375 million Iranian tomans.Final funding decisions will depend on factors such as:<ul><li>Originality of the topic,</li><li>Limited prior research,</li><li>Number of collaborators,</li><li>Diversity of outputs,</li><li>Scope of commitments and deliverables.</li></ul><h2>Application Process</h2>Researchers must apply through the foundation’s Kayper online system (https://rtms.insf.org/ ) . Applicants who do not already have a profile must first register and then log in using their email address and assigned password.After logging in, applicants can select the special call “Religious Sciences and Knowledge: AI Studies” from the “Submit New Proposal” section and upload their research proposal.Questions regarding submission procedures, eligibility, or scientific content may be submitted through the ticketing system within the applicant’s Kayper profile to the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts Program Working Group.&nbsp;<a href="https://rtms.insf.org/">https://rtms.insf.org/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Faculty members can apply for a special research grant “Religious Sciences and Knowledge: Islamic Theoretical Studies on Artificial Intelligence”

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Call for Proposals For Research Grant in Religious Studies: Islamic Theoretical Studies on Artificial Intelligence

Iran’s Vice President for Science, Technology, and the Knowledge-Based Economy emphasized the need to bring technology into the everyday lives of citizens and proposed five priority areas: AI-powered technology monitoring, intellectual property reform, technology-enabled spiritual well-being, transformation of science diplomacy, and addressing “technology poverty.” He also called for concentrating on practical projects with measurable outcomes to help solve national challenges.&nbsp;According to ISNA, during a joint meeting with Ali Akbar Rashad, President of the Islamic Culture and Thought Research Institute, Vice President Hossein Afshin stressed the importance of integrating technology into cultural and Islamic thought institutions. He stated that the participation of research centers focused on culture and Islamic thought in science and technology is highly valuable. According to Afshin, the difference between Iran and many other countries is that technology in those countries has become part of everyday life, whereas in Iran it remains largely confined to elites. He argued that technology cannot achieve genuine and sustainable growth until it reaches the broader public. Afshin also proposed defining a limited number of clear priorities rather than pursuing numerous large and scattered projects.<h3>1. Technology Monitoring Through Artificial Intelligence</h3>One of the key priorities, he said, is the creation of an intelligent science and technology monitoring system powered by AI. Afshin noted that the country’s main challenge today is not programming languages but data collection and organization. He emphasized that gathering and structuring both domestic and international data should be a major national priority and should be continuously pursued.<h3>2. Turning Intellectual Property into National Wealth</h3>Afshin highlighted the need to reform intellectual property (IP) policies, noting that the issue has also been discussed within the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution. He said policymakers should assess whether legal reforms are necessary and, if so, use the capacities of the Iranian Parliament and the council to implement them.According to Afshin, intellectual property should be viewed as a national asset and source of wealth. Without appropriate management and regulatory mechanisms, however, it could become a liability. Referring to challenges in patent registration and intellectual property systems, he argued that some patents have become merely a means of obtaining academic benefits or trading research credits, rather than creating economic value. The goal, he said, should be to transform intellectual property into tangible wealth and economic growth. He encouraged the research institute to pursue intellectual property reform as a joint project with his office, emphasizing that its benefits would extend across generations.<h3>3. New Technologies for Spiritual Well-Being</h3>Afshin also discussed spiritual health, arguing that health should not be limited to physical well-being. He said psychological and spiritual well-being are equally important and that emerging technologies could be used to develop innovative solutions in this area. He described the field as one with significant potential for research and practical applications.<h3>4. Transforming Scientific and Technological Diplomacy</h3>Another priority highlighted by Afshin was the modernization of Iran’s international scientific and technological relations. He argued that the post-war global environment will require stronger and more effective international engagement. In many cases, he said, international cooperation has been pursued without sufficient cultural preparation within society, making a new approach necessary.<h3>5. Tackling “Technology Poverty”</h3>Afshin introduced the concept of “technology poverty” as a major emerging challenge. He explained that while economic inequality between nations was once the primary concern, technological inequality is now becoming an even greater threat. According to him, the widening technology gap could prove more dangerous than the wealth gap itself. To reduce this divide, he proposed making technology more affordable and expanding collaborative technological partnerships between countries.<h3>Moving Toward Implementation</h3>In his concluding remarks, Afshin stressed the importance of holding regular joint meetings with organizations responsible for international scientific and technological cooperation, as well as various departments within the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology. The goal, he said, is to ensure that these proposals are translated into concrete actions and measurable results for the country.&nbsp; https://www.isna.ir/news/1405031709499/نسخه-افشین-برای-آینده-فناوری-ایران-تمرکز-بر-۵-موضوع-کلیدی

Iran’s Vice President emphasis for concentrating on practical projects with measurable outcomes to help solve national challenges.

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Vice President for Science, Technology, and the Knowledge-Based Economy Outlines Vision for Iran

The Director General of the Office for Upper Secondary Education at Iran’s Ministry of Education announced that free education in artificial intelligence and programming will be provided to all high school students, along with numerous rewards. He described the initiative as a practical step toward achieving educational equity and developing a skilled future workforce.&nbsp;According to ISNA news agency, Ebrahim Rafiei stated at a meeting of leading provincial specialized working groups for the National Digital Skills Program that, under Article 66 of Iran’s Seventh Five-Year Development Plan, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology are required to expand digital education. He explained that the program targets two main groups: government employees, including teachers, and students, who represent the country’s future productive workforce.&nbsp;Rafiei noted that while digital skills had previously been addressed to some extent through the Technology course in lower secondary school, more comprehensive and structured training was needed. Following coordination among ministers and deputy ministers, an institution was appointed by the Ministry of ICT to implement the courses. Beginning in September, the project focused on introducing teachers to digital skills.&nbsp;He explained that the initial goal was to familiarize the program’s instructors and promoters with the content. During this phase, a general AI course was delivered through the Shad educational network, attracting nearly 180,000 participants, primarily educators. According to Rafiei, from September to February the primary focus was teacher training, while student training began in February. Students did not receive instruction through general online platforms; instead, they used a dedicated digital-skills platform that was available both online and offline and was supported by educational resource packages.&nbsp;&nbsp;Rafiei also described a spring initiative that ran from April until May 24 (the anniversary of the Liberation of Khorramshahr). During this program, outstanding students, schools, and active districts were recognized each week. A second phase, called the “Eidiyeh” (Holiday Gift) program, has now begun:&nbsp;<ul><li>71,000 teachers completed the foundational training through the Shad network.</li><li>179,000 teachers joined the channel providing the courses.</li><li>38,000 students are actively participating.</li><li>2,100 teachers and 5,000 students are currently being monitored for progress.</li><li>1,520 teachers and 80,600 students have completed Python programming training.</li></ul>Rafiei said that the next phase will emphasize deeper, project-based learning. Students and teachers will be assigned practical projects, since the program is not intended to remain purely theoretical. Participants who successfully complete their projects will advance to subsequent stages. In the summer, in-person training sessions will begin and will be hosted at educational research centers.&nbsp;He also announced a national festival for top participants in the fourth stage of the program. Approximately 3,000 teachers from earlier rounds will be narrowed down to 300 final award-winning teachers, while 1,000 outstanding students will be selected. These students will reach a level of AI expertise qualifying them as mentors, capable of teaching others at regional and national levels. This approach is intended to make the program self-sustaining, enabling the education system to rely on trained participants as future instructors.&nbsp;Rafiei stated that students who achieve national-level excellence will be introduced to private and public institutions as highly capable candidates for employment. He highlighted the role of private-sector organizations recommended by the Ministry of ICT and described the initiative as one of the strategic programs of the Office for Upper Secondary Education. The first implementation phase will take place this summer and is expected to continue in future years.Discussing the program’s broader goals, Rafiei said:<blockquote>“The aim is that any student entering any type of high school in Iran can receive this training completely free of charge, participate in a scientific competition, and earn increasingly valuable rewards as they progress. With sufficient skills, they may even work as teachers or instructors in this field in the private sector.”</blockquote>He emphasized that skills development and educational equity are the program’s primary objectives, achieved through collaboration between the Ministries of Education and Communications, with support from the private sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Iran to provide free education in artificial intelligence and programming to all high school students

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Free AI and Programming Education for Iranian High School Students

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JOHANNESBURG, June 2, 2026 — In a landmark judgment that could reshape the regulatory treatment of digital assets in South Africa, the South Gauteng High Court has ruled that Bitcoin qualifies as both "capital" and "money" under the country's exchange control framework, reinforcing the government's authority to regulate cross-border cryptocurrency transfers.&nbsp;The decision came after Judge Stuart Wilson dismissed an application by cryptocurrency trader Square Mangundhla and Fungai Dangaiso seeking to overturn a forfeiture order issued by the South African Reserve Bank (SARB). The order related to Bitcoin transfers worth approximately R182 million that had been moved to cryptocurrency exchanges outside South Africa without regulatory approval. "The central question in this case is whether cryptocurrency, in this instance Bitcoin, constitutes either money or capital for the purposes of the Exchange Control Regulations," Judge Wilson wrote. “I conclude that it is both.”&nbsp;According to court records, Mangundhla engaged in lawful cryptocurrency trading between 2015 and 2017. However, between January 2018 and March 2020, he allegedly transferred nearly 1,680 Bitcoin through accounts under his control and an account held by Dangaiso to wallets associated with foreign cryptocurrency exchanges.At the time, the assets were valued at approximately R182 million.&nbsp;The SARB argued that transferring the cryptocurrency to offshore exchanges effectively moved capital beyond South Africa's jurisdiction, triggering exchange control requirements. Following an investigation, authorities ordered the forfeiture of nearly R6 million in cryptocurrency assets and related funds held in bank and digital asset accounts connected to the case.&nbsp;The applicants contended that Bitcoin's decentralized nature placed it outside the scope of regulations originally designed for conventional financial assets. The court rejected that argument.Judge Wilson held that Bitcoin possesses clear economic characteristics associated with both capital and money. As a financial asset, it can store value, generate investment returns, and facilitate transactions, bringing it within the ordinary meaning of capital under South African law.&nbsp;A central element of the ruling was the court's concern that excluding cryptocurrencies from exchange control laws would create a significant loophole in South Africa's financial regulatory framework. The judgment noted that individuals could easily bypass capital controls by converting local currency into cryptocurrency before transferring it abroad."Were it otherwise, those controls would be virtually worthless," the judge wrote, warning that cryptocurrency could become a vehicle for avoiding Treasury oversight if left outside existing regulations.&nbsp;The court further determined that the Bitcoin had effectively been exported once it was transferred to wallets maintained by foreign exchanges and placed beyond the reach of South African regulators.&nbsp;The ruling represents a significant departure from a separate High Court decision issued in 2025, which concluded that cryptocurrency was neither money nor capital for exchange control purposes. Judge Wilson explicitly disagreed with that interpretation, arguing that the earlier judgment focused too heavily on the technological nature of digital assets while overlooking their practical economic function.&nbsp;The court emphasized that Bitcoin can be purchased with South African rand, held as an investment, traded for profit, and used as a medium of exchange. These characteristics, the judgment found, justify treating cryptocurrency as both a store of value and a form of capital under existing legal principles.&nbsp;Legal experts say the decision could establish an important precedent for future enforcement actions involving digital assets and cross-border cryptocurrency transfers. The judgment comes as South Africa is modernizing its framework for regulating international capital movements. In May, National Treasury released draft Capital Flow Management Regulations for public consultation, while Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced plans to transition toward a more flexible, risk-based regulatory system.&nbsp;The proposed reforms would reduce pre-approval requirements for certain transactions while strengthening reporting obligations, regulatory oversight, and efforts to combat illicit financial flows. &nbsp;Although industry participants have generally welcomed the modernization initiative, the High Court's ruling makes clear that cryptocurrency transactions remain subject to South Africa's existing exchange control regime unless explicitly exempted by law. With the applicants' review application dismissed, the SARB forfeiture order remains in force, marking one of the most significant judicial decisions on cryptocurrency regulation in South Africa to date.

Landmark South African ruling classifies Bitcoin as capital and money, strengthening oversight of cryptocurrency transactions and digital asset exports.

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South African Court Rules Bitcoin Qualifies as Capital Under Exchange Control Laws

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OXFORD, June 3, 2026 — The rapid integration of artificial intelligence into corporate decision-making is exposing significant gaps in traditional legal standards governing directors' responsibilities, according to new research published by legal scholar Giovanni Vetrugno.&nbsp;As companies increasingly incorporate AI into strategic and operational processes, legal frameworks designed for human-led decision-making are struggling to keep pace. A recent KPMG study found that 66% of users regularly rely on AI tools, yet only about half trust AI-generated outputs enough to use them in operational decisions. Meanwhile, PwC research indicates that nearly half of technology leaders now consider AI fully integrated into their corporate strategies.&nbsp;The disconnect between adoption and trust, experts say, has important implications for corporate governance."Adoption has outpaced trust," Vetrugno argues. "More importantly, it has outpaced the conceptual tools that govern director liability."&nbsp;The challenge is particularly evident in jurisdictions such as Italy, where director duties are governed by legal standards developed decades before the emergence of advanced algorithms. Article 2392 of the Italian Civil Code, drafted in 1942, requires directors to exercise diligence appropriate to their role. However, the law assumes that business decisions can be understood, evaluated, and reconstructed by human decision-makers.Modern AI systems challenge that assumption.&nbsp;Machine-learning models often operate as "black boxes," producing outcomes that may be difficult to explain even for their developers. This creates uncertainty about what constitutes sufficient oversight when directors authorize or rely on AI-driven decisions.&nbsp;The issue becomes more complex under the business judgment rule, a legal doctrine that generally protects directors from liability when decisions are made in good faith and on an informed basis. Critics argue that directors may struggle to meet the "informed" standard when key decisions are influenced by algorithms whose internal processes are not fully transparent.&nbsp;In response, Vetrugno and co-author Sottoriva have proposed a new governance framework known as the TRACE Model, designed to help boards manage AI-related risks without requiring directors to become technical experts.&nbsp;The framework is built around five principles:<ul><li>Transparency – ensuring boards have clear documentation explaining what AI systems do, their limitations, and how they fit into company operations.</li><li>Risk Assessment – continuously evaluating potential biases, system failures, and performance degradation over time.</li><li>Audit Trail – maintaining records that allow companies to reconstruct how AI-assisted decisions were reached.</li><li>Competence – ensuring boards collectively possess the expertise needed to oversee AI through training, advisory committees, or specialist directors.</li><li>Ethics – integrating AI governance into broader environmental, social, and governance (ESG) responsibilities.</li></ul>According to the authors, the focus should shift from assessing whether directors personally understand complex algorithms to evaluating whether appropriate governance structures are in place.&nbsp;Although developed with Italian law in mind, the framework addresses concerns emerging across multiple jurisdictions. In the United States, Delaware's Caremark doctrine requires boards to establish oversight systems capable of identifying compliance failures. Similar duties exist under the UK's Companies Act 2006, while German legal scholars have begun discussing concepts of "digital diligence" for corporate directors.The researchers argue that AI governance should be viewed as an extension of existing oversight obligations rather than as a completely new category of legal responsibility.&nbsp;As AI adoption continues to accelerate, courts around the world may soon be called upon to determine how traditional director duties apply when algorithms play a central role in corporate decision-making."The standard of director diligence is not broken," Vetrugno concludes. "It does, however, need to be read in light of the technologies it is now asked to govern."&nbsp;Legal experts say the next major AI-related corporate failure could provide the first significant test of those evolving standards.&nbsp;https://blogs.law.ox.ac.uk/oblb/blog-post/2026/06/directors-and-ai-why-diligence-needs-new-framework

Oxford legal scholar proposes new governance framework as boards increasingly rely on artificial intelligence

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AI Adoption Outpaces Trust, Raising New Questions About Director Liability

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NEW ENGLAND, May 28, 2026 — &nbsp;A new study under review suggests that advanced AI tools such as ChatGPT and Claude are enabling thousands of Americans to pursue legal claims without hiring attorneys, contributing to a sharp increase in self-represented litigation across federal courts. Researchers who analyzed millions of court filings found evidence that AI-generated content is appearing in a growing share of federal lawsuits, marking what could become one of the most significant shifts in access to justice in decades.&nbsp;The study estimates that nearly 18% of federal civil complaints filed by early 2026 contained language consistent with AI-generated drafting, up from virtually zero before the public release of modern generative AI systems in late 2022.&nbsp;The trend highlights a profound transformation underway in legal services. While much of the public debate around AI has focused on whether technology might replace lawyers, the more immediate impact may be its ability to help ordinary citizens navigate legal systems that were previously inaccessible due to cost and complexity.&nbsp;For decades, Americans have had the constitutional right to represent themselves in court. In practice, however, exercising that right has often been difficult. Civil litigation requires extensive legal research, knowledge of procedural rules, document preparation, and familiarity with court processes. For many individuals, hiring a lawyer is prohibitively expensive, while legal aid organizations often lack the resources to meet demand.Generative AI is lowering those barriers.&nbsp;Users can now obtain explanations of legal procedures, summarize statutes and case law, draft motions, organize evidence, and prepare court filings within minutes and at minimal cost. Tasks that once required hours of professional assistance can increasingly be performed using a smartphone or laptop. Researchers found AI-assisted filings across a broad range of disputes, including employment cases, insurance claims, immigration matters, housing conflicts, disability appeals, and defamation lawsuits.&nbsp;Perhaps most significantly, immigration-related litigation showed some of the fastest growth. The study identified rising numbers of habeas corpus petitions and detention challenges filed without attorneys, suggesting that AI may be expanding practical access to legal remedies for individuals who historically struggled to secure representation.&nbsp;Supporters view the development as a major step toward addressing the long-standing "justice gap" in the United States. Millions of Americans face legal problems each year but never pursue formal remedies because legal representation is too costly. In many civil cases, attorney fees can exceed the potential financial recovery, effectively preventing individuals from asserting their rights. From this perspective, AI functions less as a replacement for lawyers and more as a force multiplier for legal access.&nbsp;Several legal aid organizations have already embraced the technology. Studies indicate that nonprofit legal service providers are adopting AI tools rapidly to expand their capacity and assist larger numbers of clients with limited budgets. If these trends continue, AI could become one of the most significant access-to-justice innovations since the expansion of public legal aid programs.&nbsp;Yet the benefits come with substantial risks. Generative AI systems remain prone to factual inaccuracies, legal errors, and fabricated citations. Courts across the United States have repeatedly warned litigants and attorneys that AI-generated content does not relieve them of responsibility for the accuracy of their submissions.Several lawyers have already faced sanctions after submitting court filings containing non-existent cases invented by AI systems.&nbsp;The concern extends beyond accuracy. Historically, lawyers served as an important screening mechanism, discouraging weak claims and ensuring that filings met minimum legal standards. As AI reduces the cost of filing lawsuits, courts may face increasing numbers of poorly researched, procedurally defective, or meritless cases.This creates a potential paradox: the same technology that expands access to justice could also increase pressure on judicial systems that are already struggling with heavy caseloads.&nbsp;Source: <a href="https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/ai-enters-the-courtroom-how-chatbots-are-reshaping-litigation/">https://thedailyeconomy.org/article/ai-enters-the-courtroom-how-chatbots-are-reshaping-litigation/</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Note:&nbsp;The study suggests that the most important legal impact of AI may not be automation of lawyers but empowerment of citizens. For generations, self-representation existed largely as a theoretical right for many Americans because the practical demands of litigation were too great. AI is beginning to change that reality by making legal information, drafting assistance, and procedural guidance available on an unprecedented scale.Whether this transformation ultimately strengthens or strains the justice system will depend on how courts, regulators, and legal institutions adapt.&nbsp;What is increasingly clear is that artificial intelligence is no longer merely assisting lawyers—it is helping reshape who can participate in the legal system itself. The coming years may determine whether AI becomes a catalyst for broader access to justice or a disruptive force that overwhelms courts with a new wave of litigation.

Artificial intelligence is beginning to reshape one of the most expensive and inaccessible systems in American society: the legal system.

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AI-Powered Legal Filings Surge as Chatbots Expand Access to U.S. Courts

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At the center of the debate is HSBC, whose CEO, Georges Elhedery, recently urged employees not to resist AI-driven transformation as the bank prepares for significant restructuring. Speaking at an investor event, Elhedery told staff, according to Reuters, “We all know generative AI will destroy certain jobs and will create new jobs.” He encouraged workers not to become “overwhelmed” or resistant to technological change, arguing that AI could help employees become “more productive versions of themselves.”&nbsp;These remarks come amid growing evidence that major financial institutions are rapidly accelerating automation across customer onboarding, fraud monitoring, compliance, and back-office operations.&nbsp;Reuters also reported that rival Standard Chartered plans to eliminate nearly 8,000 jobs—around 15% of its corporate-function workforce—by 2030, as it increases investment in AI and automation. Its CEO, Bill Winters, drew criticism after referring to some affected roles as “lower-value human capital.” He later apologized and sought to reassure staff that the transition would include retraining and redeployment opportunities.&nbsp;More broadly, the shift reflects an industry-wide transformation in which AI is increasingly viewed not only as a productivity tool but as a structural force reshaping banking itself. Analysts at Morgan Stanley found that banks and other major firms in finance, technology, and professional services have already reduced staffing levels, particularly among entry-level and offshore roles most exposed to automation.&nbsp;HSBC itself is reportedly considering cuts of up to 20,000 positions—roughly 10% of its workforce—as it expands AI adoption. According to Reuters, non-client-facing roles in global service centers are expected to be among the most affected. At the same time, the bank has been investing heavily in AI infrastructure, including the appointment of David Rice as its first chief AI officer. Internally, AI tools are already being used to shorten onboarding processes, streamline workflows, and enhance anti–financial crime systems.&nbsp;Other major banks are moving in a similar direction. Executives at Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo have acknowledged that AI is beginning to reshape staffing needs, though some emphasize that, so far, the technology has primarily enhanced productivity rather than directly replacing workers.&nbsp;The rapid rollout of AI has also fueled public concern. A recent study by King’s College London found that 60% of Britons believe AI will eliminate more jobs than it creates, while one in five respondents feared it could contribute to civil unrest.&nbsp;At the same time, technology experts and labor economists have urged caution. Fabian Braesemann of the Oxford Internet Institute warned that firms risk overcorrecting by cutting staff too aggressively before fully understanding AI’s long-term productivity impact.&nbsp;Still, industry momentum continues to build. Reuters reports that banks are becoming increasingly transparent about AI’s role in future workforce reductions, marking a shift away from earlier narratives centered on “efficiency” and “augmentation.” As automation accelerates, the central question for the banking sector may no longer be whether AI will transform jobs, but how quickly workers and institutions can adapt to the change.&nbsp;&nbsp;https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/dont-fight-ai-hsbc-ceo-tells-staff-banks-begin-job-cuts-2026-05-20/

Major financial institutions are accelerating automation efforts across customer onboarding, fraud monitoring, compliance and back-office operations

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Global Banking Giants warn that AI will Reshape Workforce

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May 25 — Pope Leo XIV has issued a warning about the future of artificial intelligence, arguing that rapidly advancing technologies must remain firmly subordinate to human dignity, moral responsibility, and the common good.&nbsp;In a nearly 43,000-word encyclical, the pontiff describes artificial intelligence as one of the defining challenges of the modern era, cautioning that technological progress detached from ethical and spiritual foundations could create a new “Tower of Babel” — a powerful system built on human ambition rather than wisdom.“Humanity, created by God in all its grandeur, is today facing a pivotal choice,” Pope Leo writes in the opening lines of the document, according to Vatican News. The encyclical urges governments, technology companies, and international organizations to ensure that AI development benefits society as a whole rather than concentrating power among corporations, political elites, or a small group of technology leaders.&nbsp;The document attracted global attention during its public presentation at the Vatican, where Pope Leo appeared alongside theologians, senior Vatican officials, and Christopher Olah, co-founder of AI company Anthropic. The event underscored the Vatican’s growing engagement with debates surrounding the social and ethical implications of artificial intelligence.&nbsp;At the heart of the encyclical is the pope’s concern that AI could fundamentally reshape labor markets, warfare, democratic institutions, and human relationships before adequate safeguards are established. He warns that increasingly powerful AI systems could deepen economic inequality, accelerate the spread of misinformation, and weaken authentic human connections if left without meaningful oversight.&nbsp;The pope devotes particular attention to the military use of artificial intelligence, condemning the development of autonomous weapons and algorithm-driven warfare. Such technologies, he argues, risk lowering moral barriers to violence by distancing decision-makers from the human consequences of conflict. Reuters reported that Pope Leo called for AI to be effectively “disarmed,” warning that the normalization of autonomous warfare could make perpetual conflict more likely and less visible to the public.&nbsp;The encyclical also draws historical parallels to Pope Leo XIII’s landmark 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum, which addressed the social upheaval created by the Industrial Revolution. Pope Leo XIV argues that artificial intelligence represents a similarly transformative technological shift, one that demands new protections for workers, vulnerable communities, and those at risk of economic displacement.&nbsp;While acknowledging AI’s potential to advance medicine, education, scientific research, and public services, the pope rejects the notion that technological innovation is inherently beneficial. “Technology is never neutral,” the document states, emphasizing that AI systems inevitably reflect the values, incentives, and priorities of the individuals and institutions that create them.&nbsp;The Vatican’s intervention comes at a pivotal moment in global AI governance. Policymakers worldwide are struggling to keep pace with advances in generative AI, while concerns over job displacement, surveillance, misinformation, cybersecurity, and autonomous weapons continue to grow. At the same time, technology companies are investing billions of dollars in increasingly sophisticated AI systems, intensifying calls for stronger oversight and international regulation.&nbsp;The encyclical signals that the Vatican intends to play an active role in shaping the ethical debate surrounding artificial intelligence. Since the beginning of his papacy, Pope Leo has repeatedly warned that digital technologies risk reducing individuals to passive consumers, weakening human relationships, and undermining the spiritual dimensions of life. He has also cautioned religious leaders against relying on AI-generated sermons or digital substitutes for genuine pastoral engagement.&nbsp;As governments and companies race to develop increasingly powerful AI systems, the Vatican’s message adds a moral dimension to a debate often dominated by technical and commercial considerations. The central question raised by the pope is not whether artificial intelligence can transform society, but whether humanity can ensure that transformation remains aligned with human values.

Pope Leo XIV calls for ethical AI governance, warning against autonomous weapons, misinformation, inequality, and threats to human dignity.