AI, Ethics, and Islamic Higher Education: Navigating the Tensions Between Practical Risk Mitigation and Religious Normativity

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the landscape of higher education, including State Islamic Higher Education in Indonesia, referred to in this study as Perguruan Tinggi Keagamaan Islam Negeri (PTKIN). In this context, this study examines PTKIN lecturers’ perceptions of AI development, their awareness of potential risks, and the strategies they employ for risk mitigation. This study is significant as it also explores whether Islamic ethical principles are integrated or absent in these processes. Using a qualitative approach, data were collected through interviews and document analysis, including institutional guidelines and academic integrity policies, involving lecturers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds at two PTKINs. The findings reveal two main orientations in AI risk management. Some lecturers emphasize technical controls such as plagiarism detection, supervised examinations, and accuracy assurance, while others highlight ethical guidance, verification, and the cultivation of critical awareness. Despite these efforts, Islamic values, although frequently mentioned, remain declarative and have not yet been institutionalized into formal university governance structures. By reinterpreting the COSO Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) framework through the lens of maqāṣid al-sharīʿah, this study proposes an integrative model that connects technical risk mitigation with Islamic normativity. The study concludes that PTKIN has the potential to pioneer an Islamic framework for AI ethics and governance that aligns technological innovation with moral accountability and contributes to the broader transformation of Islamic education in the digital era.