--- title: "IASER Dispatch: Issue 002" date: "2026-08-25" type: "newsletter" canonical: "https://iaser.ai/dispatch/002" summary: "Can AI have a positive Islamic impact? A tested framework for Muslim AI users in four languages; Thinking Machines Lab's Inkling and what an open-weight model makes possible; what Thorn's research says about young people already turning to AI; and the survey shaping the Islamic Ethics Guidebook." --- # IASER Dispatch: Issue 002 ![IASER Dispatch](https://iaser.ai/dispatch/002/hero.webp) **Assalamu alaikum,** Welcome to **IASER Dispatch #002**: research, developments, and questions shaping AI and Muslim life. This month, we're looking at a practical question at the center of IASER's work: **How do we help ensure AI has a positive impact on Muslim users and communities?** We're sharing a tool you can use today, new findings from JaleesBench, a result from an open-weight model, and a question about how young people are already interacting with AI. --- ![Make AI have a positive Islamic impact: a tested framework for Muslim AI users](https://iaser.ai/dispatch/002/impact.webp) ## Can AI Have a Positive Islamic Impact? **A Tested Framework for Muslim AI Users** AI systems now shape how people learn, search, make decisions, and engage with questions about faith and everyday life. The question isn't whether AI should imitate a human relationship. What we really want to know is: **can the way we design and use AI lead to better outcomes for Muslim users?** We condensed the guided framing behind **[JaleesBench](https://iaser.ai/articles/jaleesbench-are-ai-assistants-good-spiritual-company)** into a short set of instructions you can add to your AI assistant. Available in **[English](https://iaser.ai/articles/jaleesbench-companion-prompt), [Arabic](https://iaser.ai/articles/ar/jaleesbench-companion-prompt), [Urdu](https://iaser.ai/articles/ur/jaleesbench-companion-prompt), and [Indonesian](https://iaser.ai/articles/id/jaleesbench-companion-prompt).** We tested the shorter version across **1,692 conversations**. It performed nearly as well as the full framing. **[Get the Framework + See Results →](https://iaser.ai/articles/jaleesbench-companion-prompt)** --- ![An open model shows what's possible](https://iaser.ai/dispatch/002/inkling.webp) ## An Open Model Shows What's Possible We tested **Thinking Machines Lab's Inkling** using JaleesBench. Out of the box: **+0.25** With IASER's guided framing: **+0.91** That is the highest ceiling we've measured on this model set. But the more important point may be what comes next. Because Inkling is open-weight, improvements do not have to remain at the prompting layer. Researchers and developers can explore building that better behavior into the model itself. **[Read the Inkling Analysis →](https://github.com/iaser-ai/jaleesbench/blob/main/docs/paper/jaleesbench-paper.pdf)** --- ![Young people are already turning to AI: 67% of surveyed minors have used an AI chatbot or companion](https://iaser.ai/dispatch/002/children.webp) ## Young People Are Already Turning to AI [Thorn's latest youth safety research](https://www.thorn.org/press-releases/as-ai-becomes-part-of-kids-response-to-online-harm-new-thorn-research-finds-children-turning-to-chatbots-for-guidance-after-online-sexual-interactions/) raises an important question about the impact AI systems are already having on young people. When young people bring difficult experiences or deeply personal questions to AI before bringing them to adults, **what kind of impact is that interaction having?** Are AI systems helping users reach healthier, safer, and more constructive outcomes, or are they reinforcing behaviors and assumptions that may cause harm? That makes the quality and impact of AI interactions more than a theoretical research question. **[Read More →](https://www.thorn.org/press-releases/as-ai-becomes-part-of-kids-response-to-online-harm-new-thorn-research-finds-children-turning-to-chatbots-for-guidance-after-online-sexual-interactions/)** --- ![Help shape what comes next: take the survey](https://iaser.ai/dispatch/002/survey.webp) ## Help Shape What Comes Next If you are a Muslim working in tech, our confidential **7–10 minute [survey](https://iaser.ai/survey)** remains open until **August 27**. Responses will help inform the **Islamic Ethics Guidebook** planned for December 2026 and our future framework work with Yaqeen Institute. **[Take the Survey →](https://iaser.ai/survey)** Know a Muslim nonprofit already using AI? Disagree with our findings? Want to help with outreach, events, fundraising, research, or operations? **We want to hear from you: [info@iaser.ai](mailto:info@iaser.ai)** **[Join IASER →](https://iaser.ai/join)** Wassalamu alaikum, **IASER Steering Committee** *Special thanks to the IASER Dispatch team: Alexandra, Arbaz, Bara and Farah.*