Beyond HalalGPT: How Muslims Must Save AI from Itself

// Workshop

Location: The Landing Boardroom (Downstairs)

Time: 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Speaker: Dr. James Faghmous

Abstract:

While everyone's racing to build "halal versions" of ChatGPT, we’re missing the real opportunity: Muslims aren't meant to catch up to Silicon Valley. We're positioned to lead the next technological paradigm for all of humanity. Drawing from 20 years in AI and entrepreneurship, Dr. James Faghmous reveals how Muslim innovators can leapfrog current technology to own the next wave.

Speaker Biography:

Dr. James Faghmous — James H. Faghmous, Ph.D. is a trusted advisor to world-class Muslim executives and public figures, and author of the upcoming book "Spiritual Intelligence: How to Thrive in the AI Age." James began his AI career in 2004 and has since built AI systems for three billion-dollar companies. In 2014, he co-founded a $30M startup at the intersection of AI and global health, with funding from Bill and Melinda Gates. Over the past decade, he has taught AI to thousands of students globally at MIT, Columbia, Stanford, and USC. James earned his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota, where he received the Best Ph.D. Dissertation Award for his innovative work in AI and climate change. He completed his undergraduate studies at the City College of New York, where he was nominated for both Rhodes and Gates scholarships. He was recognized as one of the top 50 most influential Muslims by EquityX in both 2023 and 2024.