Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies

ABSTRACT:

Although, the Iranian Shiʻi clergy have commonly been portrayed as conservative, reactionary and resistant to technological advancements, since the establishment of the Islamic Republic they have demonstrated a remarkable willingness to embrace the latest technological innovations in medicine, communication, or computer sciences with the aim of boosting their own operational effectiveness. The group has adeptly utilised the new social media environment to enhance interaction with the faithful and disseminate religious content. This has impacted not only their relationship with society, but also the overall activity of the group in the light of the Islamic Republic’s challenges. This article examines Iranian Shiʻi clerics’ views on contemporary technology, focusing on the example of so-called artificial intelligence (pers. hūsh-e maṣnūʿī). The study provides an overview of clerics’ views on artificial intelligence and identifies the principal domains where the greatest gains of AI are perceived to have taken place. It aims to reveal the rationale behind the clergy’s optimistic outlook on AI, by examining initiatives carried out within the Shiʻi religious seminaries in Iran.