Transforming Islamic Religious Education in the Artificial Intelligence Era: Developing a Digital Literacy Integration Framework for Strengthening Students’ Character in Primary Schools

Abstract

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technology has transformed educational practices, including Islamic Religious Education (PAI). However, technological integration in education requires a value-based pedagogical approach to ensure that digital transformation contributes to students’ character development. This study aims to analyze the role of digital literacy-based PAI learning in strengthening students’ character in the era of Artificial Intelligence and to develop an integrative framework connecting digital competence, AI utilization, teacher readiness, and Islamic character education. This research employed a mixed-methods approach using a sequential explanatory design. Quantitative data were collected through questionnaires measuring students’ digital literacy, teacher digital readiness, and character strengthening, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. The quantitative results showed that digital literacy had a positive and significant relationship with students’ character strengthening (r = 0.610, p < 0.01), while teacher digital readiness demonstrated a stronger contribution to character development (β = 0.420, t = 5.230, p < 0.01). Qualitative findings revealed that AI-supported PAI learning becomes effective when technology is mediated through teachers’ pedagogical strategies and Islamic values. This study proposes the PAI Digital Literacy Integration Framework, which emphasizes that AI should function as a pedagogical medium for ethical, reflective, and character-based learning. The findings contribute to the development of digital Islamic education by integrating technological innovation with moral and spiritual dimensions.