Dubai: As digital wealth platforms continue to evolve, the demand for transparent, ethical, and scalable Shariah-compliant investing is growing rapidly.Benito Mable, CEO of Vault22, explains this shift, highlighting how artificial intelligence is bringing speed, accuracy, and accessibility to Islamic finance. Here’s how AI is reshaping Shariah screening, balancing automation with scholarly oversight, and opening up new opportunities for both institutions and retail investors.How does Vault22 use AI for automated Shariah screening, and what data sources are analysed?Benito Mable: Vault22 approaches Shariah screening by combining AI with a broad set of data inputs. On the quantitative side, we continuously analyse financial statements, market prices, and balance sheet data to assess key ratios such as debt and non-compliant income.At the same time, we layer in qualitative analysis by scanning company filings, earnings calls, and news. The goal is to build a live, continuously updated compliance profile for every security.As we often say, “compliance should not be a point-in-time check; it should be continuous.”How does your infrastructure update financial ratios in real time as market values change?Benito Mable: One of the key challenges in Islamic finance is that many ratios are tied to market values, which change frequently. Our infrastructure recalculates these ratios using live data feeds.Instead of periodic reviews, we can flag compliance changes instantly: something that is especially critical during volatile market conditions.How do you ensure alignment with Shariah board rulings and DFSA regulations?Benito Mable: From a governance perspective, everything we do is anchored in our DFSA licence and Shariah board oversight. The screening logic within our system is directly based on Shariah rulings, and when those rulings evolve, we can update the parameters immediately.Every decision is auditable, and human oversight remains central — particularly for edge cases or new interpretations. AI scales the process, but scholars define the principles.How does AI assistant Tara use NLP to detect non-compliant activities?Benito Mable: On the qualitative side, our AI assistant Tara plays a key role by using natural language processing to analyse disclosures across multiple languages. It identifies what companies actually do beneath the surface.For example, it can detect indirect exposure to non-compliant activities, even when this is not explicitly stated. This allows us to go far deeper than traditional screening methods.How is automated dividend purification managed?Benito Mable: Portfolio compliance is not static — companies evolve, and so do their revenue streams. When non-compliant income is identified, our system automatically calculates the purification amount attributable to each investor.This is continuously updated, removing the need for manual tracking or calculation. As we say, “we remove the operational burden so investors can focus on their goals.”What trends have you observed across your 26 Shariah-compliant portfolios?Benito Mable: Across our portfolios, risk–return profiles are broadly in line with conventional strategies, although sector exclusions and lower leverage create some differences.From a user perspective, there is a clear preference for balanced and diversified portfolios.How does your screening adapt for B2B versus retail platforms?Benito Mable: When working with institutional partners, the core engine remains the same, but we adapt the framework to suit their requirements. This may include different Shariah interpretations, reporting standards, or system integration.For retail users, the experience is more streamlined and standardised.How do you balance global financial standards with GCC Shariah requirements?Benito Mable: Operating in the GCC while investing globally requires balancing international financial standards with strict Shariah requirements.We achieve this by integrating global data and market access with frameworks such as AAOIFI, enabling investors to access diversified opportunities without compromising on compliance.How important is automated screening for retail investor accessibility?Benito Mable: Automated screening is a key enabler of accessibility. Traditionally, Shariah compliance required manual effort and specialist knowledge, which limited access.By automating the process, we make ethical investing more scalable and approachable for everyday investors. “Access and trust go hand in hand in this space.”What are the limitations of AI in Shariah screening?Benito Mable: AI does have its limits. While it is highly effective at processing large volumes of data and identifying patterns, grey areas still exist—particularly with complex or evolving business models.That is why we are clear about the boundary: AI handles continuous monitoring and analysis, but final judgments always rest with Shariah scholars.This combination of technology and human oversight is essential for credibility.
