Themes and Tracks
1. Artificial intelligence for an efficient Islamic finance sector;
2. Sport as a means of integration between different worlds;
3. Islamic finance and social impact for a new sustainable world.
Artificial intelligence for an efficient Islamic finance sector
As we know, Islamic finance is an alternative to the traditional financial system and is characterized by asset-based instruments that prioritize financial collection for tangible and developmental projects (Saiti, 2016). In recent years, a new strand of literature has arisen, creating scientific debate concerning technological evolution. Artificial intelligence is one of them, and according to Khan et al. (2021), it could configure new tools for financing and supporting communities. However, despite some studies, little insight has been published to date into how artificial intelligence may play a role in this challenging field. Therefore, new research perspectives could be derived by considering (and not limited to):
- How could artificial intelligence change Islamic contracts?
- How could artificial intelligence make Islamic banking processes more efficient?
- How could artificial intelligence facilitate money raising for investors and social works?
Sport as a means of integration between different worlds
Considering the City of Turin's connection as the world capital of tennis, the second theme concerns the role of sport as a means of integration between different worlds.
According to Downward et al. (2018), sport is a tool for overall health and subjective well-being. Additionally, as Skinner (2008) discussed, sport facilitates partnerships, community, and social development by creating opportunities for sharing and the tourism sector Higham and Hinch (2002). Although there is clear literature on the role of sport in health and personal development, less clear are how what could create integration between athletes from around the world. Additional, fewer links are included with halal tourism. Therefore, it is helpful to elaborate on this issue (and not limited to):
- How can sport become a facilitator of sharing between different cultures?
- How could the Islamic financial system finance integration sports initiatives?
- What connections are present among halal tourism, sport and social development?
- How islamic and non islamic countries can enhance the link among the previous topics?
Islamic finance and social impact for a new sustainable world
Finally, the last topic for consideration invokes Islamic finance as a social impact tool for the sustainable world.
According to the literature, there is strong evidence in Islamic history of tools used to help the social sector (Biancone & Radwan, 2019). These include zakat (obligatory charity), sadaqah (voluntary charity) and waqf (perpetual endowment). These financial instruments have participated in developing public social facilities and services in the past by facilitating governments on the one hand and citizens on the other by providing them with new services and development opportunities. Based on the strong international interest, we wonder (and not limited to):
- Are there innovative social finance tools in the Islamic finance sector? How can Islamic finance drain resources for sustainable social development?
- How can the traditional and Islamic financial system dialogue on sustainable social development?
- Why can Islamic finance be considered impact finance? What new evidence?
