Artificial Intelligence in Pesantren: Ethical Challenges and Character Development among Santri at IMBS Miftahul Ulum Pekajangan

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, is increasingly accessible to students and has created new possibilities for learning, writing, translation, and information exploration. In pesantren, however, the use of AI needs to be considered together with academic integrity, verification of information, teacher guidance, and character formation. This article examines the ethical challenges and potential implications of AI use for santri at IMBS Miftahul Ulum Pekajangan. The study uses a simple conceptual case-study design supported by recent literature on AI in education, AI literacy, academic integrity, Islamic education, and character development. The analysis is presented as a simulated case study and does not claim to report empirical interviews or observations that have not yet been conducted. The simulated findings indicate three central issues: AI can function as an additional learning resource; uncritical use may encourage dependence and weaken independent academic effort; and teacher guidance and verification are important for maintaining responsible use. Based on these findings, the article proposes a simple pesantren-oriented approach in which AI is positioned as a learning assistant rather than a replacement for teachers or students' intellectual work. Islamic values of honesty (ṣidq), trustworthiness (amānah), verification (tabayyun), adab, and responsibility can provide an ethical foundation for AI use. The article concludes that AI integration in pesantren should prioritize human agency, critical verification, academic integrity, and character development.