Tawḥīdic Epistemology and Cognitive Science: Harmonising Artificial Intelligence with Natural Intelligence

Abstract

This article discusses several key facets of the contemporary Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agenda that is primarily shaped by the technologically advanced countries of the world. It describes the AI Agenda as having both ideological and social dimensions. The ideological dimension pertains to the pursuit of theoretical scientific advancement in intelligence-related studies such as in neuroscience and cognitive science with the view of unravelling the mysteries of human intelligence. As for its social dimension it pertains to applied AI that seeks to transform both the human individual and his physical and social environment, the former into a new humanity through technological enhancement of the human body and the latter into a technocratic cultural space. With respect to this quest, this article provides a critical discussion of the transhumanism movement in America. The most important facet of AI Agenda is perhaps the issue of the interface of natural intelligence (NI) and AI generated by rapid developments in the two dimensions in question. This article argues for the harmonisation of NI and AI in the light of the traditional Islamic discourse on NI, especially on prophetic intelligence. It seeks to remind human beings that, as a product of the human mind, AI could never equal the total intelligence of its creator, let alone to surpass it. Further, this article seeks to emphasise that it is the tawḥīdic epistemology (TE) inspired cognitive science that makes possible the harmonisation of NI and AI.