The Need for Islamic Religious Education Teacher Training for Effective Artificial Intelligence Integration: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Digital transformation in the era of the Industrial Revolution 5.0 has changed the paradigm of education, including in the realm of Islamic Religious Education (PAI) which is oriented towards the formation of spiritual and moral values. However, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into learning still faces challenges, especially related to teacher readiness, digital literacy, and the strengthening of Islamic values amid the flow of technological modernization. This research aims to understand in depth the subjective experience of PAI teachers in dealing with AI integration as well as identify training needs that are relevant to their work context. Using a descriptive phenomenological approach, this study involved 8–12 active PAI teachers in various madrassas and high schools in Palu City who had participated in learning digitalization training. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, non-participatory observations, and document analysis, then analyzed with thematic analysis assisted by NVivo 14 software. The results of the study show four main themes: (1) the struggle of values between spirituality and technological rationality, (2) the limitations of digital literacy as a structural and cultural challenge, (3) the adaptation and repositioning of the professionalism of PAI teachers in the AI era, and (4) expectations for training based on Islamic ethical and spiritual values. These findings confirm that AI integration is not just a technological transformation, but rather a reflective process that shapes the professional, moral, and spiritual consciousness of teachers. This research contributes to strengthening the paradigm of spiritual-digital professionalism, which combines faith, ethics, and innovation in Islamic educational practices in the era of artificial intelligence.