Religious leaders, scholars, and students gathered in Kuala Lumpur on June 19, 2026, for the third [1] International Summit of Religious Leaders.

The event addresses the urgent need to engage young people amid rapid technological shifts and the rise of digital threats. By modernizing faith-based outreach, leaders aim to protect youth from extremist influences that leverage artificial intelligence to target vulnerable populations.

Sultan Nazrin joined the gathering to urge religious authorities to adapt their methods to remain relevant in a digital age. The summit focused on the intersection of spirituality and technology, specifically how faith can provide a stabilizing force for students and young adults facing social change.

"Empowering young people and engaging them as partners is crucial," Sultan Nazrin said [3].

The discussions highlighted a growing competition for the attention and loyalty of the youth. Leaders said that extremist ideologies are increasingly using AI-driven tools to spread misinformation and radicalize young people online. To counter this, the summit participants explored strategies to empower youth through faith and positive social engagement.

This marks the third [1] time the international body has convened to discuss these specific challenges. The summit serves as a platform for diverse religious scholars to coordinate a unified response to global instability and the digital divide.

“Empowering young people and engaging them as partners is crucial.”

The summit reflects a pivot in religious leadership toward the 'digital frontier.' By acknowledging AI-driven extremism, faith leaders are recognizing that traditional methods of spiritual guidance are insufficient against algorithmic radicalization, necessitating a modernization of religious discourse to maintain influence over younger generations.