Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a Source of Islamic Information: Examining the Response of Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah in Indonesia

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently become an important phenomenon. Interestingly, some Islamic groups have used AI to ask about Islamic information. Of course, the validity, accuracy, and veracity of AI-related information are in severe debate. The two most prominent Islamic organizations in Indonesia, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah have responded to the existence of this AI technology. This article reviews how NU and Muhammadiyah responded to AI as a means of Islamic information. By using qualitative methods, which focus on data in the form of
statements by NU figures, offline and online, this article concludes that both NU and Muhammadiyah view AI as a challenge and threat to Islamic authority. However, NU tends to view that AI-generated information should not (haram) be used as a reference. For NU, AI cannot be trusted as a provider of religious information. This differs from Muhammadiyah, who emphasizes that preachers can consider AI technology as a vehicle for da'wah. Even for Muhammadiyah, preachers are encouraged to use this technology. NU tends to be more traditionalist and closed regarding AI and even views AI as a threat to Islamic boarding school (pesantren) culture; meanwhile, Muhammadiyah is more open to adapting to new technology. These findings can be a reference in developing Islamic da'wah media in the context of dynamically emerging technology