Soul of the Machine: Islam and the Ethics of AI

// Panel

Location: FIVE-TWO-A

Time: 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

Moderator: Rida Ali

Speakers: Dr. Adji Bousso Dieng, Dr. Mona Hamdy, Mona Murad, Sh. Joe Bradford, Ramy Noaman

Abstract:

Artificial intelligence is no longer a distant possibility—it is a force actively reshaping economies, politics, and daily life. But what values will anchor its trajectory? This panel convenes leading voices at the intersection of technology, ethics, and Islamic thought. Dr. Adji Bousso Dieng brings the rigor of frontier AI research from Princeton to examine how systems are designed and deployed. Dr. Mona Hamdy draws on her global work in ethics and sustainable development to interrogate the moral dilemmas of surveillance, bias, and human agency. Sheikh Joe Bradford grounds the discussion in Islamic jurisprudence, offering frameworks for evaluating technological power through the lens of Shariah. Ramy Noaman, one of the world’s youngest negotiators of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and founder of Habibi Tech, brings a decade of experience advising Fortune 500 companies and startups on AI implementation, highlighting the stakes of Muslim leadership in this technological revolution. Moderated by Rida Ali, this conversation asks not only how Muslims should respond to AI’s disruptions, but how Islamic values can shape a more just and humane digital future for all.

Speaker Biographies:

Rida Ali — Rida Ali is a content creator, brand strategist, and digital storyteller amplifying the voices of Muslims, South Asians, and underrepresented communities. Based between D.C. and NYC, she holds a Master’s in South Asian Studies and Journalism from SOAS, University of London. She works at a media think tank advising platforms like NowThis and @impact, and is developing a short-form creator project with Instagram to explore innovative, culturally resonant storytelling.

Dr. Adji Bousso Dieng — Prof. Adji Bousso Dieng is a tenure-track assistant professor of computer science at Princeton University, where she leads the lab Vertaix on research at the intersection of AI and the natural sciences. She is also the Founder and President of The Africa I Know (TAIK).

Dr. Mona Hamdy — Dr. Mona Hamdy is a strategic advisor, academic, and global executive specializing in ethics, technology, and sustainable development, with experience spanning Harvard, industry, and humanitarian sectors.

Mona Murad — Mona Murad works in the UK public sector on AI governance and societal risks of Advanced AI, with a focus on malicious misuse. She collaborates with AI experts, engineers, and senior decision-makers to assess the systemic impacts of AI to shape policies on governance and mitigations. With a decade of public policy experience, she has worked on resilience, international trade negotiations, and the Covid-19 response. Mona holds a Master of Public Policy from the University of Oxford. She is speaking in a non-official and personal capacity at the conference.

Sh. Joe Bradford — Sheikh Joe Bradford is an expert in Islamic law, business, and finance with over 15 years of experience. He is a Certified Shariah Adviser and Auditor (CSAA), accredited by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI), and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. at the International Islamic University of Malaysia with a research focus on financial injustice. His academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to ethical finance rooted in Islamic principles.

Ramy Noaman — Ramy Noaman is the founder of New York Strategy and Habibi Tech, leading AI implementation for startups, Fortune 500s, and governments. A Harvard alumnus and the world’s youngest negotiator on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, he brings over a decade of expertise in advancing AI strategy, execution, and Muslim tech leadership.