Iran

emerging-technologies

digital-transformation

ai-and-jurisprudence

Qom, Iran — The deadline for submitting abstracts to the Second National Conference on “Religion, Culture and New Media” has been extended until late June, organizers announced, giving researchers additional time to contribute to the growing discussion on the intersection of faith and digital transformation.&nbsp;According to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting News Agency, full paper submissions will now be accepted until August 21, while the results of the review process are scheduled to be announced on September 21. The conference, organized by Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting University in collaboration with the Faculty of Religion and Media in Qom, aims to explore the challenges and opportunities arising from the shift from traditional media to modern digital platforms.&nbsp;Organizers said the event will address a wide range of topics, including religious audience analysis, artificial intelligence, audience rights, and user ethics in the digital age. The conference is expected to provide both theoretical insights and practical solutions, particularly for enhancing religious programming and strengthening media authority in an increasingly digital landscape. They added that the findings presented at the conference could help Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting improve its engagement with audiences and adapt to new media environments.&nbsp;Key themes&nbsp;The conference will cover six main thematic areas, including: &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Theoretical foundations of religious audience studies &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The role of emerging technologies and AI in shaping religious engagement &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Legal and ethical considerations in new media &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;International dimensions of media and audiences &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;User behavior and ethics in digital environments &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;•&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;The future of intelligent media and audience interaction&nbsp;Researchers and interested participants are invited to submit their work in line with these themes to the conference secretariat based in Qom.&nbsp;&nbsp;<figure class="image"><img src="https://www.iribnews.ir/files/fa/news/1405/2/15/56145952_508.webp" alt="تمدید مهلت ارسال مقالات به همایش «دین، فرهنگ و رسانه‌های نوین»"></figure><a href="https://iribu.ac.ir/congress/">https://iribu.ac.ir/congress/</a>&nbsp;https://www.iribnews.ir/fa/news/5783653/تمدید-مهلت-ارسال-مقالات-به-همایش-دین-فرهنگ-و-رسانه‌های-نوین

Deadline for submitting abstracts to the Second National Conference on “Religion, Culture and New Media” has been extended until late June

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Deadline Extended for Conference on “Religion, Culture and New Media”

ai-infrastructure

internet-restrictions

ai-technology

Speaking to the Iranian news outlet Citna, Saeed Setaayeshi, Full Professor at the Faculty of Energy Engineering at Amirkabir University of Technology said:<blockquote>"In my opinion, we are fundamentally not at a stage where the absence of internet access can seriously harm the country's AI sector. I say this from a scientific perspective, not a media or promotional one."</blockquote>He explained that the AI tools currently accessible to Iranian users via the internet are products of the needs, data, and challenges of developed countries.<blockquote>"These systems have been designed and trained to solve the problems of those countries. Therefore, when we use them, we are essentially consumers of tools that were not created for our social, economic, and data structures."</blockquote>He went further, arguing that under current circumstances, lack of access may in some ways be preferable to dependence on systems in which Iran is merely a consumer.<blockquote>"When a user asks an AI system a question, the interaction is not one-way. The user's behavioral data, questions, and thought patterns are also analyzed and stored. Therefore, we are not merely users—we ourselves become a source of data."</blockquote>The professor emphasized that if Iran wants AI systems tailored to national needs, it must develop:Independent computing infrastructure;<ul><li>Powerful servers;</li><li>The capability to design and manage data centers;</li><li>Organized and standardized domestic datasets; and</li><li>A reliable national operating system and software infrastructure.</li></ul>&nbsp;He added: "Once such an infrastructure exists, it will be possible to design systems that can function effectively even without direct dependence on the global internet."&nbsp;Addressing public dissatisfaction with internet outages, Setaayeshi said that a significant portion of current AI usage in Iran involves:<ul><li>Student assignments,</li><li>Solving examination questions,</li><li>Rapid content generation, or</li><li>Providing general responses to personal concerns.</li></ul>According to him, in many cases these tools can even reduce creativity and independent research.&nbsp;Concluding his remarks, Setaayeshi reiterated:<blockquote>"The main issue is the absence of a domestic AI infrastructure—not internet speed or lack of internet access. If we had developed systems based on domestic data, powerful local processing centers, and AI tailored to our real needs, then we could discuss the role of the internet in AI development. Under current conditions, however, we are more consumers of technology than producers of it."</blockquote>Interview by Fatemeh Moradkhani.&nbsp;https://www.citna.ir/news/338084/ستایشی-استاد-تمام-دانشگاه-امیرکبیر-زیرساخت-گره-کور-هوش-مصنوعی-ایران

Iran Is Not Yet at a Stage Where Internet Restrictions Damage Its AI Sector

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Professor at Amirkabir University: Infrastructure Is the Missing Link in Iran's AI Development

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times-of-crisis

social-listening-tools

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The conference "Artificial Intelligence in the Age of Crisis," which examined the crucial role of emerging technologies in addressing complex managerial and media challenges, was held with the participation of experts and industry stakeholders.&nbsp;The event took place on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Baladieh Building in Tehran. It was organized in cooperation with the municipality and supported by a number of companies, specialized centers, and organizations active in Iran's artificial intelligence and digital economy sectors.&nbsp;The conference explored various aspects of:<ul><li>The development of artificial intelligence during times of crisis;</li><li>The resilience of the digital economy;</li><li>Technology governance; and</li><li>The infrastructure requirements necessary for the growth of AI.</li></ul>During the panel, Amirhossein Asgari, CEO of Datak, challenged conventional perceptions of technology and emphasized that in times of crisis, artificial intelligence is no longer a luxury, a showcase technology, or merely decorative.Instead, he argued, AI has become:<blockquote>"An inseparable part of the infrastructure for survival, decision-making, and organizational resilience."</blockquote>Referring to Datak's experience in data analysis, media monitoring, and public opinion assessment, Asgari said:<blockquote>"Contrary to popular belief, the main problem organizations face during crises is not a lack of information. The real challenge is dealing with massive amounts of scattered data, rumors, conflicting narratives, and the anxiety dominating the media environment."</blockquote>He added that the speed at which narratives evolve on social media far exceeds the pace of traditional managerial decision-making.As a result, organizations that are not equipped with intelligent tools often become aware of environmental changes too late and lose the ability to distinguish critical signals from meaningless noise.&nbsp;Asgari criticized superficial approaches to technology and noted that the future of AI in Iran is tied directly to its practical application in solving real business and crisis-management challenges.According to him, the true value of AI emerges when it moves beyond emotional reactions and simple content generation and becomes directly integrated into operational decision-making processes.&nbsp;He further explained that artificial intelligence and social listening tools enable managers to understand:<ul><li>Which topics are becoming prominent;</li><li>Which signals have the potential to trigger crises; and</li><li>In which direction public opinion is moving.</li></ul>This process shifts organizations away from a passive, "post-crisis reaction" approach and toward early detection and proactive decision-making.&nbsp;At the conclusion of the panel, participants emphasized that the primary mission of artificial intelligence in the modern era is to develop a deeper understanding of society and reduce the degree of surprise organizations face when confronted with media waves and crises.They stressed that transforming vast amounts of raw data into actionable insights is the only way for businesses and institutions to successfully navigate the country's critical challenges and periods of crisis.&nbsp;https://www.isna.ir/news/1405033119101/هوش-مصنوعی-در-عصر-بحران-از-ابزار-لوکس-تا-زیرساخت-بقا-و-تصمیم-گیری

Artificial Intelligence in Times of Crisis: From a Luxury Tool to Critical Infrastructure for Survival and Proactive Decision-Making

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Conference on Artificial Intelligence in the Age of Crisis 

International

generation-z-muslims

contemporary-fiqh

social-networks

ijtihad

The Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America (AMJA) has announced that its 22nd Annual Imams' Conference will focus on one of the most pressing issues facing Muslim communities today: the jurisprudential implications of social media and artificial intelligence. The conference will be held from August 28-30, 2026, followed by specialized workshops on August 31. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)&nbsp;The conference, titled "Contemporary Fiqh Issues Related to Social Media and Artificial Intelligence," reflects the growing interest among Islamic scholars worldwide in addressing the ethical, legal, and societal questions arising from rapidly advancing digital technologies. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)&nbsp;Among the most significant topics on the agenda is the role of AI in Islamic jurisprudence (fiqh) and religious authority.Scholars will discuss whether artificial intelligence can:<ul><li>Answer basic and agreed-upon jurisprudential questions;</li><li>Assist in issuing religious verdicts (fatwas);</li><li>Perform functions traditionally reserved for qualified scholars (muftis);</li><li>Serve as an automated commentator, hadith scholar, or mentor;</li><li>Participate in legal arbitration and dispute resolution. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)</li></ul>The conference will also examine whether AI can undertake forms of ijtihad—the process of independent legal reasoning—and whether machine-generated religious opinions can ever possess legitimacy without human accountability. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)&nbsp;A separate track will explore how scholars can responsibly use artificial intelligence to improve research and education.Topics include:<ul><li>Semantic search across classical Islamic texts;</li><li>AI-assisted drafting of research papers and fatwas;</li><li>Manuscript restoration using computer vision;</li><li>Translation of the Qur'an and hadith literature;</li><li>Generation of educational materials for seminaries and mosques. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)</li></ul>The discussions mirror initiatives underway in countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia, where religious institutions are increasingly experimenting with AI-powered tools for Islamic research.&nbsp;The conference also moves beyond scholarly applications and addresses AI's impact on everyday Muslim life.Participants will debate issues such as:<ul><li>The permissibility of creating and sharing deepfakes;</li><li>AI-driven surveillance and facial recognition;</li><li>Ownership of biometric data and digital identities;</li><li>Emotional relationships with AI companions and virtual partners;</li><li>The use of AI for cheating, deception, and manipulation. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)</li></ul>The agenda frames these questions through established principles of Islamic jurisprudence, including:<ul><li>Prevention of harm (la darar wa la dirar);</li><li>Blocking the means to wrongdoing (sadd al-dhara'i);</li><li>Protection of religion, life, intellect, family, and property—the five higher objectives of Islamic law (maqasid al-shariah). (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)</li></ul>&nbsp;Another major theme is the role of Muslims in building artificial intelligence itself.Conference sessions will consider:<ul><li>Whether it is permissible to develop dual-use technologies that can be employed for both beneficial and harmful purposes;</li><li>Ethical questions surrounding autonomous life-and-death decisions by AI systems;</li><li>Social consequences such as unemployment and privacy violations;</li><li>The permissibility of training AI systems on prohibited content in order to filter or moderate such material. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)</li></ul>In recognition that AI is already transforming religious work, AMJA will also host a practical workshop titled "AI for Imams and Community Workers."The workshop will train religious leaders to use AI tools for:<ul><li>Sermon preparation;</li><li>Research and translation;</li><li>Community outreach;</li><li>Content creation;</li><li>Detecting misinformation and developing responsible AI practices in Islamic settings. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)</li><li>Another workshop will focus on engaging Generation Z Muslims, examining how social media and artificial intelligence shape faith, identity, and belonging among younger generations. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)</li></ul>The conference underscores a broader trend in contemporary Islamic scholarship: the emergence of AI fiqh, a rapidly developing field that seeks to apply classical principles of Islamic law to questions raised by artificial intelligence and digital technologies.By bringing together jurists, imams, and technology experts, the conference aims to provide a framework for how Muslim communities can navigate the opportunities and challenges of the AI era while remaining rooted in Islamic ethical and legal traditions. (<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">AMJA Online</a>)&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai">https://www.amjaonline.org/22nd-imams-conference-fiqh-social-media-ai</a>&nbsp;

Assembly of Muslim Jurists of America has announced that its 22nd Annual Imams' Conference will focus on jurisprudential implications of social media & AI

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U.S. Muslim Jurists to Examine AI and Social Media Through the Lens of Islamic Law

iran-national-ai-platform

ai-assistants

digital-twins

department-of-science,-technology-and-knowledge-based-economy

data-ownership

data-governance

crisp-dm-framework

business-intelligence

Tehran (IRNA) – Officials from Iran's Department of Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy announced that the national AI platform has resumed operations and that 14 AI assistants have been delivered to the organization in the first phase of the project.&nbsp;According to IRNA's Science Unit, the head of the Center for Steering Knowledge-Based Economy Development Headquarters said during a meeting on the progress of AI assistant projects, attended by Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy, Hossein Afshin, that support measures had been taken to ensure the continuation of the project.&nbsp;Mohammad Bagher Ghaznavi, supervisor of the AI Assistants Project, presented a report on the project's implementation. He said that the universities and companies participating in the initiative began their activities in March 2025 and additional participants have recently joined.&nbsp;He noted that all active projects have until July 6 to complete their commitments, after which the first phase of the project will be closed.According to Ghaznavi, the second phase, currently underway, focuses on business intelligence and the modeling of government ministries. This stage involves identifying and modeling ministries' business structures, databases, and information relationships.&nbsp;One of the project's major technical achievements, he said, was the design and deployment of a single indigenous standard for all projects. The standard is based on the international CRISP-DM framework, and several in-person and virtual workshops have been held to familiarize participants with it."The goal was for all universities and project implementers to develop their projects using a common language and a unified framework," he said.At the end of the first phase, 14 AI assistants, along with their source code and technical documentation, were delivered to the Vice Presidency for Science. Some are already operational, while others remain unused due to insufficient infrastructure, including hosting and stable deployment services.Ghaznavi also announced the development of a unified system for executing the projects. Rather than focusing on separate software development efforts, the new phase emphasizes data modeling and understanding ministry processes.&nbsp;A common platform was designed and provided to all participants to upload their data and models. To date, information from 12 project implementers has been integrated into the third version of this system. He described resolving issues related to data ownership and information governance as one of the project's most significant achievements. With cooperation from the Vice Presidency and relevant agencies, effective steps have been taken to establish mechanisms for accessing the data required by the project.&nbsp;Ghaznavi importantly highlighted that the ultimate goal is to create systems capable of predicting the country's data trends and, eventually, to provide a foundation for developing digital twins of government agencies.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.irna.ir/news/86188262/بازگشت-سکوی-هوش-مصنوعی-به-مدار-خدمت-تحویل-۱۴-دستیار-هوش-مصنوعی">https://www.irna.ir/news/86188262/بازگشت-سکوی-هوش-مصنوعی-به-مدار-خدمت-تحویل-۱۴-دستیار-هوش-مصنوعی</a>&nbsp;

The national AI platform has resumed operations and 14 AI assistants have been completed in the first phase

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14 AI Assistants Delivered to Department of Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy

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funding-new-technology-projects

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Tehran (IRNA) – Iran's Vice President for Science announced a change in the support model for the AI Assistant Project, stating that, to measure the actual demand of government agencies, 70% of project costs will now be covered by the Vice Presidency for Science and 30% by the requesting ministries.&nbsp;A meeting to review the progress of AI assistant projects was held on Saturday, June 20, at the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, attended by Vice President for Science Hossein Afshin. During the meeting, project teams developing AI assistants for government agencies presented their latest achievements and project outcomes, and the progress of the initiatives was evaluated.&nbsp;Afshin emphasized the need to develop technology within the country's executive structures, noting that although Iran ranks among the top 12 to 14 countries in the world in AI scientific output, there remains a significant gap between scientific achievements and practical applications.According to him, narrowing this gap requires cooperation among universities, the government, and executive agencies, as well as overcoming resistance to the use of data and modern technologies.&nbsp;Afshin stated that the concept of management has fundamentally changed:<blockquote>"Organizations and businesses can no longer be run using traditional methods. The world's successful companies are those that know how to manage data."</blockquote>He added that big data cannot be managed solely through human capabilities, and artificial intelligence plays a central role in this field. Consequently, efforts are underway to shift decision-making processes in ministries toward a data-driven approach.Addressing concerns about AI assistants, he clarified that these systems are not intended to replace managers. Instead, they collect and analyze data to help decision-makers make more informed and accurate decisions.&nbsp;Afshin stressed that the AI Assistants Project was never envisioned as a short-term initiative.<blockquote>"We never saw this as a six-month or one-year project. It is a living and continuous project that must constantly be updated and developed."</blockquote>He added that the ultimate goal is not merely to deploy several AI assistants within ministries; rather, these assistants could eventually evolve into a comprehensive assistant for the country's governance system and even for the President.&nbsp;Afshin pointed to the practical outcomes of the initiative, saying that large-scale and even multi-million-dollar AI contracts are beginning to emerge in the country, thanks to the efforts of universities, knowledge-based companies, and project teams.He cited an example in the oil sector: the Vice Presidency previously supported an AI project for a single oil well, but new agreements now cover the intelligent management of dozens of oil wells, including one project involving 37 wells and another of similar scale.According to him, this trend demonstrates that Iranian industries are increasingly recognizing the economic and operational benefits of AI and digital transformation.&nbsp;Afshin noted that in many cases, up to 90% of project funding was paid before project completion to accelerate technological development.Universities are required to fulfill their commitments by July 6, 2026 (15 Tir), and any institution that fails to do so will not be allowed to participate in the next phase. He also acknowledged challenges faced during the past year, including internet disruptions and special national circumstances, which affected the progress of AI assistant projects. Nevertheless, most teams were able to continue according to schedule.&nbsp;Announcing the next phase of the project, Afshin said: 70% of project costs will be funded by the Vice Presidency for Science and 30% will be funded by the beneficiary ministry. The purpose of this model is to determine the genuine demand for AI projects and encourage ministries to take an active role in investment. He further revealed that next year the ratio will be reversed: 70% of costs will be paid by ministries and 30% by the Vice Presidency for Science.In subsequent years, projects are expected to become self-sustaining, financed through the value and benefits they generate.&nbsp;&nbsp;Concluding the meeting, Afshin emphasized that although the AI Assistants Project was designed to address governmental and executive challenges, it has also strengthened research groups, student teams, and scientific activities in universities, with its positive effects already visible in the development of Iran's AI ecosystem.&nbsp;https://www.irna.ir/news/86188258/معاونت-علمی-مدل-حمایت-از-پروژه-دستیار-هوش-مصنوعی-را-بازطراحی

70% of project costs will now be covered by the Vice Presidency for Science and 30% by the requesting ministries