Fatwa Lab
Artificial Intelligence
Optimising Fatwa Research with AI:
Enhancing Efficiency, Implementations and Challenges

The session aims to explore the potential of integrating AI technologies into fatwa research. This integration seeks to enhance the accuracy, speed, and depth of research by leveraging AI-driven methods like prompt tuning and technologies such as bots to extract and analyse pertinent information from Islamic texts and scholarly sources. It also addresses potential challenges and ethical considerations associated with this integration, proposing strategies for responsible and effective use of AI in fatwa research.

Glen Francis
Mr. Glen Francis
Strategic Advisor, Google, Singapore

Mr. Glen Francis has been in the technology field for over 25 years. He has worked across six industries in the fields of digital, data, IT, and eCommerce. He presently works in Google Cloud as their Strategic Advisor. He is a Board member of The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) and a member of the Technology Committee for the Tsao Foundation. He also serves as a member of the President's Technology Award Committee and as a Mentor at the Center of Technology Management for Columbia University (NYC).

Mr. Glen was the former CTO of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and a board member for several of SPH's businesses. Prior to SPH, he founded Spark by CIO Academy Asia as an entrepreneur and was its past President in 2014. At Spark, he helped develop its brand and a thriving community of Tech leaders across the Asia region. He holds an MBA from the University of Adelaide.

Sheikh Mohamad Farouq
Ustaz Sheikh Mohamad Farouq
Associate Research Fellow, Research Programme in the Study of Muslim Communities of Success (RPCS), Singapore

Ustaz Sheikh Mohamad Farouq Abdul Fareez is an Associate Research Fellow in the Research Programme in the Study of Muslim Communities of Success (RPCS). He obtained his first degree in Comparative Religion and Usuluddin from the International Islamic University of Malaysia and holds two master's degree in Islamic Thought and Applied Ethics as well as Asian Studies with a special focus on inter-religious relations in plural societies.

Ustaz Farouq's area of research interest involves issues concerning religion, human development, and ethics. He is currently working on a research project that seeks to understand the interplay between AI and Islam to ensure that emerging technologies are advanced for human flourishing and the common good.

Ahmad Khalil Mohamed Rafii
Ustaz Ahmad Khalil Mohamed Rafii
Fatwa Lab Researcher, Singapore

Ustaz Ahmad Khalil graduated from Kuwait University, specialising in Comparative Jurisprudence and Policy of Sharia. As a thriving Data Analyst and Scientist who has worked with Apple and Shell, Ahmad is continuously upskilling himself in the AI and Data industry, seamlessly combining academic and professional pursuits. Concurrently, he serves as a lecturer in Islamic Studies, maintaining a dynamic connection with his educational roots. With research interests spanning artificial intelligence (AI), large language models (LLM), and natural language processing (NLP), Ahmad aspires to explore the integration of Islamic texts with cutting-edge technology, bridging tradition and innovation.

He is currently actively involved in the fatwa lab group, where they are exploring the potential of integrating AI technologies into fatwa research.

Chair
Mohamed Ali
Ustaz Dr. Mohamed Ali
Senior Associate Member of Fatwa Committee, Singapore

Ustaz Dr. Mohamed Ali is Senior Fellow in the Studies in Inter-Religious Relations in Plural Societies (SRP) Programme at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Islamic Jurisprudence from Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt in 2002, Master of Science (MSc) in International Relations at RSIS, NTU in 2007 and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Arab and Islamic Studies from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom in 2013. He also graduated with a Specialist Diploma in Counselling Psychology from Academy of Certified Counsellors, Singapore in 2006.

Ustaz Dr. Mohamed is currently a member of the Syariah Appeal Board of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis), senior associate member of the Fatwa Committee in Singapore, and member of Muis Wakaf (Endowment) Dispute Resolution Committee. He was conferred the National Day Award 2022 – Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat or PBM) by the President of Singapore in August 2022.