Astana, November 19, 2025
The International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, together with the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, held an international online roundtable entitled “Artificial Intelligence and Cultural Diversity: Seeking a Universal Ethics.” The meeting brought together representatives of various religious traditions, government bodies, academic circles, and technology experts, becoming a lively exchange of views on what artificial intelligence should be like if we want it to serve humanity rather than the other way around.
Participants discussed how digital technologies affect the spiritual life of society, what values should be embedded in algorithms, and why it is so important today to speak about culture, justice, and goodness in the context of AI.
The Chair of the Board of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue, Gulsana Kozhabay, opened the meeting with a call to view technological development through the prism of human dignity. She emphasized that in an era of rapid change, it is spiritual traditions that help maintain stability and define the right direction for the ethics of the future. Ms. Kozhabay noted that the topic of AI and religions should be analyzed on several levels, as it is truly multilayered. According to her, three dimensions can be distinguished: the spiritual — where the influence of technology on humanity and values is discussed; the practical — where religious institutions use AI in their daily work as a technological tool; and the ethical — where issues of norms and rules for responsible AI use are raised.
The Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Centre, Ravan Hasanov, supported this idea, noting that the synthesis of scientific progress and moral responsibility is the only path to the safe implementation of AI.
Deputy Chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs, Maksat Ramankulov, drew attention to Kazakhstan’s efforts to create an ethical and legal framework for the development of AI. He stressed that the principles of the new Law of the Republic of Kazakhstan “On Artificial Intelligence” and the decisions of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions provide an important platform for the responsible use of technologies.
The Chief of Staff of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kazakhstan (SAMK), Gylymbek Mazhiev, spoke about digital projects already implemented within the SAMK system: from the eQurban online platform and the Qajy Guide application to the MuftyatBot Telegram bot and the educational game Islam Quiz. Of particular interest was the development of a new AI tool based on theological expertise, which will provide the public with verified and accurate answers. Mazhiev emphasized that digitalization is not only about technology, but also about cultural change, which must go hand in hand with spiritual values.
Mohamed Elamin, Director of the Regional Office of the Muslim Council of Elders for Central Asia, spoke about the Council’s international initiatives aimed at developing an intercultural approach to AI. He stressed that technologies should serve to build trust between peoples, rather than create new divisions.
Oleg Sinyakov, Head of the Monitoring Department of the Center for the Study of Religions in Astana, noted that each religious tradition has its own interpretations of the concepts of good and justice, yet they all agree on one thing: harm must not be caused, one must act honestly and fairly, and care for one’s neighbor. These shared values, in his opinion, can form the basis for the future ethics of AI.
Dr. Ayman Abdelmomen, a member of the AI Charter working group between Al-Azhar and the Vatican, presented the concept of the “Ethical Trust Index” — a standard that allows for assessing the reliability of religious content generated by AI. She pointed out that religious communities must take part in shaping the rules, as technologies are already influencing the perception of faith and spirituality.
Ivan Ivanov, Executive Director of the International Center of the Alliance of Civilizations, in his speech “Democracy of Values or Dictatorship of Data?” called for viewing AI not only as a tool, but also as a factor capable of changing the very structure of society. He emphasized that cultural memory, spiritual wisdom, and respect for diversity must be embedded in technological development so that AI remains humane.
The Catholic perspective was also voiced at the meeting. A representative of the Roman Catholic Church in Kazakhstan, Father Lukáš Němec, parish priest of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Uralsk, noted that digital transformation inevitably changes ways of communication within religious communities, but cannot replace personal presence, warm human contact, and communal prayer. He stressed that digital tools are useful when they help the community grow closer, but spiritual life will always remain deeper than any technology.
A representative of Al-Azhar, Zainab Seddiek, reminded participants that AI already affects the sphere of faith, and therefore responsibility for its use is growing. She emphasized the importance of international initiatives such as the Rome Call for AI Ethics and urged religious communities to participate more actively in shaping the global agenda in this field.
Despite the intensive program, the meeting was vibrant, dynamic, and highly substantive. Participants expressed a desire to continue the exchange of views and proposed establishing a special working group to develop recommendations on AI ethics.
One important conclusion can be drawn from the results: all religions perceive AI merely as a technological tool for assistance, nothing more. As noted by Rostislav Novgorodov, Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kazakhstan and representative of the Lutheran World Federation, temples, mosques, and places of worship must remain authentic spaces where people can speak and listen to their soul and the Almighty.
All materials of the roundtable, including presentations, analytical commentaries, and extended conclusions, will be published in the quarterly journal of the International Center for Interfaith and Interreligious Dialogue.
The event became another step in strengthening humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, demonstrating that dialogue between cultures and religions remains a key instrument in the search for universal ethics for the digital age.
