AI, Biometrics And The Future of Digital Zakat
As digital zakat payments become increasingly accessible, the focus is shifting from merely accelerating transactions to proactively securing them. Technological advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), behavioral analytics, and biometric authentication are equipping zakat institutions with new capabilities to detect and intercept cyber fraud before financial losses occur.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Masnizah Mohd, a lecturer at the UKM Centre for Cyber Security and Deputy Director of DigitalUKM, emphasizes that these technologies enable a vital transition from reactive responses to proactive prevention. She highlights three key pillars for securing the digital zakat ecosystem:
- AI-Driven Anomaly Detection: AI systems can analyze user behavior to identify suspicious deviations in transaction amounts, frequencies, locations, and devices. This allows institutions to rapidly detect fake websites, compromised accounts, and phishing campaigns, triggering early interventions.
- Layered Biometric Authentication: A single security measure is no longer sufficient. Dr. Masnizah advocates for a layered defense strategy that combines biometric authentication (such as facial or fingerprint recognition) with robust transaction approval mechanisms, real-time monitoring, and emergency “kill-switch” capabilities—all while strictly upholding user privacy and data protection.
- Humans as the Last Line of Defence: Despite advanced technological controls, humans remain a critical security layer. Because scammers increasingly rely on social engineering to manipulate users into authorizing transactions on legitimate systems, enhancing public awareness is just as crucial as upgrading digital infrastructure.
The Path Forward “AI is not an absolute solution; it needs to be combined with security controls, human oversight, and privacy protection,” notes Dr. Masnizah. Ultimately, the future security of digital zakat relies on a collaborative ecosystem where advanced technology, vigilant institutions, and educated users work seamlessly together to ensure every contribution safely reaches its intended recipient.