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Abstract
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Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly shaping decision-making, governance, and everyday life in societies around the world. However, while global ethical frameworks have emerged to guide responsible AI development, their applicability remains limited in culturally specific, non-Western contexts. This study critically investigates the role and position of ethics in AI governance in Iran, identifying the unique normative, institutional, and practical challenges that shape the country's AI ecosystem. Using a qualitative, thematic analysis of 30 scholarly sources and national policy documents, the research uncovers three core problem areas: the absence of localized ethical standards, structural deficiencies in regulatory oversight, and the marginalization of ethical considerations in AI design and deployment. In response, the study proposes a three-tiered ethical governance framework—normative, institutional, and practical—that integrates Islamic values, participatory mechanisms, and ethics-by-design principles. This context-sensitive model provides a roadmap for ethically aligning Iran’s AI trajectory with both local cultural imperatives and international standards. The findings have broader implications for other culturally diverse societies seeking to develop indigenous, value-based approaches to AI governance.
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