Case Study: An Unlikely Lesson for Islamic Bankers from an AI Drone
For the Islamic Banking Leader: What can a high-tech drone inspecting solar panels teach a leader in Islamic finance about AI? At first glance, the industries seem worlds apart. However, this case study is a powerful illustration of a universal truth: the principles required to build trustworthy AI—transparency, accountability, and fairness—are the very same principles that form the bedrock of Islamic finance. As you read, notice how the challenges faced by this technology company mirror the questions Islamic banks must ask to ensure their AI systems are free from uncertainty (), uphold trust (), and deliver justice ().
Ethical AI takes flight! AIR6 Systems’ DrSolar drone inspection system underwent IEEE CertifAIEd™ Ethics Profiling, guided by Verdas AI. This case study explores how ethical considerations were integrated into advanced drone technology, demonstrating a commitment to responsible AI in the industrial sector.
Introduction In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, ensuring ethical AI development and deployment is crucial. Verdas AI supports companies with practical, actionable guidance using the IEEE CertifAIEd™ framework for identifying, preventing, and mitigating ethical risks. AIR6 Systems, a company specializing in advanced drone technology for industrial processes, recently underwent an IEEE CertifAIEd Ethics Profiling for their DrSolar drone-enhanced solar inspection system. This case study explores the process, findings, and outcomes of this ethical assessment, highlighting the importance of proactive compliance and responsible AI implementation.
About AIR6 Systems and DrSolar Established in 2017, AIR6 Systems has roots in Austria (AIR6 Systems) extending to Germany, and in the UK. The Company aims to deliver advanced drone technology to be customised for and integrated into industrial processes as well as for operations of task forces. The company is interested in assessment and certification for their AIR6 Systems solar panel inspection, which includes an AIR4 drone equipped with SWIR sensor, onboard PC and proprietary software for image capture. The system collects highly actionable images within the Electroluminescence (EL) process for fault detection and classification. AIR6 is dedicated to fostering a culture of responsibility and trustworthy AI implementation, and conducting the IEEE CertifAIEd ethical risk profiling exercise further demonstrates this commitment.
The IEEE CertifAIEd Process AIR6 Systems partnered with Verdas AI GmbH, an authorized IEEE CertifAIEd collaborator, to conduct the ethics profiling. The process involved several key phases:
Enquiry, Data Collection, and Review: Verdas AI collaborated with the AIR6 team to understand the project goals, system scope, stakeholders, and operational context. This phase included reviewing the Concept of Operations documentation and specific use cases.
Ethics Profiling: The team identified key values affected by the DrSolar system. These values were assigned risk impacts based on their potential effect on human, societal, and environmental well-being.
Criteria Suite Selection: The identified values were mapped to the four IEEE CertifAIEd Ethical Criteria Suites: Ethical Transparency, Ethical Accountability, Ethical Algorithmic Bias, and Ethical Privacy. The most applicable suite, Ethical Transparency, was selected for further analysis.
Key Findings and Outcomes
Stakeholder Identification: A comprehensive list of stakeholders was identified, including solar farm owners/operators, O&M companies, flight service providers, and AIR6 Systems staff.
Value Elicitation: 22 ethical values were identified and evaluated for their potential impact. Values such as trust, accuracy, safety, cost reduction, and data transparency were prioritized.
Risk Assessment: The risk level for each value was calculated based on the intensity and likelihood of the system’s impact. Transparency emerged as the clear focus of ethical risk, with additional concerns regarding Privacy and Accountability.
Low-Risk Determination: Based on the analysis, the DrSolar system was determined to be a “Low Risk” system within the IEEE CertifAIEd framework.
Focus on Ethical Transparency: The profiling revealed a strong emphasis on Ethical Transparency, particularly concerning the clarity of operations and confidence in system behavior.
Connecting the Dots for Islamic Finance Leaders:
At this point in the assessment, the parallels to Islamic finance become crystal clear. Notice the key findings:
Focus on Transparency: This is the technical equivalent of avoiding (ambiguity/uncertainty). For the drone, a lack of transparency erodes trust in its findings. For an Islamic bank using AI for financing decisions, an opaque algorithm where the reasoning is hidden creates profound , which is prohibited. The need for clear, explainable AI is not just a technical best practice; it is a Shari’ah imperative.
Accountability & Trust: The assessment highlights accountability as a core value. This directly maps to (trust/fiduciary duty). AIR6 Systems remains accountable for its technology’s output. Similarly, an Islamic bank’s leadership and Shari’ah Supervisory Board hold the ultimate . They cannot delegate this responsibility to an algorithm. The framework for AI governance must ensure human accountability is central.
Ethical Investment Alignment: It is also worth noting that the subject matter itself—solar panel inspection—is part of the green energy sector. This aligns perfectly with the rise of Green Sukuk and the focus of Islamic finance on ethical, sustainable, and socially responsible investments.
Recommendations and Next Steps The outcome of the ethics profiling included a concrete set of requirements to guide AIR6’s employees, along with clear examples of how to fulfil these requirements:
Providing clear explanations of how the system makes decisions.
Ensuring accurate and reliable data for decision support.
Providing transparency to stakeholders regarding the handling of proprietary information and personal data.
Maintaining accountability for system outputs and decisions.
Conclusion: The Takeaway for the Islamic Banking Sector The IEEE CertifAIEd Ethics Profiling for AIR6 Systems’ DrSolar product demonstrates the importance of proactive ethical assessments in AI development. By identifying potential risks and engaging stakeholders, AIR6 Systems is ensuring the responsible deployment of its technology.
For leaders in Islamic finance, this case serves as a powerful model. It shows that structured ethical frameworks like IEEE CertifAIEd™ are not foreign concepts but are modern tools to implement the very principles you already champion. Such a process can provide technical assurance to a Shari’ah Supervisory Board that an AI system is designed and operating in a way that is fair, transparent, and accountable. By combining its rich ethical heritage with modern technical governance, the Islamic finance industry is uniquely positioned to lead the world in developing truly principled AI.
For companies aiming to ensure responsible AI implementation and achieve IEEE CertifAIEd certification, Verdas AI offers expert guidance and support. Our services include comprehensive ethical risk profiling, stakeholder engagement strategies, and compliance frameworks tailored to your specific needs. Contact Verdas AI today to proactively manage ethical risks and build trust in your AI systems.
