The Threshold Theory of AI: An Islamic Philosophical and Theological Perspective with a Christian Comparative View

The concepts of AI (Artificial Intelligence), AGI (Artificial General Intelligence), Superintelligence, and the Singularity can be analysed in the light of Islamic jurisprudence and philosophy, where the focus is on the creation, purpose, and limitations of human and non-human entities. Progress in AI technologies raises important questions about creation, purpose, and morality in an Islamic context. Is it possible for machines to mimic the abilities of human intellect, wisdom (ḥikmah), natural disposition (fiṭrah), and belief systems? Mimicking is essentially an imitation game for computers, which need the ability to understand language, solve problems, make decisions, predict futures, innovate ideas, invent products, and ultimately think, feel, and aspire like human beings. Yet speculation about AI’s progress goes far beyond mimicking human capabilities. The transition from today’s Generative AI to hypothetical God-like AI and Cosmic AI seems to reach toward powers akin to the Divine. How does Islam conceive this progression in the light of Islamic jurisprudence, philosophy? This article articulates the plausibility of these stages and the necessary conditions required to achieve them, in order to determine whether such goals are achievable. Misunderstanding these issues might lead to shirk (شِرْك)—associating partners with Allah or attributing divine qualities to something besides Him. These concepts of Artificial Intelligence can also be examined through the Christian theology and philosophy. Both traditions address the creation, purpose, and limitations of human and non-human entities.