People Who Were Using AI 700 Years Ago

When people hear the term "artificial intelligence," their minds race to Silicon Valley—robots, algorithms, and futuristic tech. But few realize that centuries before the age of computers, Muslim engineers were building automated machines, some with programmable features and mechanical feedback—concepts that today form the backbone of modern AI and robotics.

Among the pioneers of this forgotten legacy is Badiʿ al-Zaman Abu al-‘Izz Isma’il ibn al-Razzaz al-Jazari (1136–1206), a mechanical genius from Mesopotamia whose work predates many Western engineers by centuries. His groundbreaking book, “The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices”, documented over 100 mechanical inventions, some of which laid the groundwork for automation and control systems.

Let’s explore verified inventions from the Islamic Golden Age that demonstrated remarkable mechanical intelligence—entirely rooted in historical evidence.

Who Was Al-Jazari?

Lived: 1136–1206 CE

Location: Diyarbakir, now in modern-day Turkey

Profession: Mechanical engineer, inventor, scholar

Masterpiece: Kitab fi Ma'rifat al-Hiyal al-Handasiya (The Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices)

Commissioned by: The Artuqid kings of Diyarbakir, especially King Nasir al-Din Mahmud

Al-Jazari worked as the chief engineer of the royal palace, and his inventions were not just imaginative—they were practical machines used in daily palace life, including clocks, water dispensers, and automata.

The Most Famous Invention: The Elephant Clock

One of al-Jazari’s best-known creations was the Elephant Clock—a complex water-powered device that not only told time but combined cultural symbolism from across civilizations: Greek water technology, Indian elephant symbolism, Egyptian obelisks, and Chinese dragons.

Facts:

Powered by a water-timed flow regulator inside the elephant.

Included mechanical humanoid figures that moved at timed intervals.

The mechanism involved a float, pulleys, levers, and weights—demonstrating a deep understanding of hydraulic and kinetic engineering.

This clock had no AI in the modern sense, but it had intelligent design principles and automated output based on input—which are foundational ideas behind AI today.

The Hand-Washing Automaton

This lesser-known invention featured a mechanical servant—a female automaton holding a pitcher. When a guest placed their hand under the spout, water would flow, then the automaton offered a towel through a hidden mechanism.

Facts:

Used float valves and siphons to control the flow of water.

The mechanism detected user presence via weight and gravity activation—comparable to input-triggered behavior.

The entire process mimicked servant-like response, making it one of the earliest interactive devices.

Again, not AI, but it incorporated sensors, programmed behavior, and user-triggered reaction—principles later adapted into robotics.

The Programmable Musical Boat

Al-Jazari created a floating musical boat that featured automated musicians. The drummers played rhythms using camshaft and peg-based timing mechanisms. What’s fascinating is that users could change the pegs, altering the music.

Facts:

Similar in function to a programmable cylinder, just like a modern music box or early punch cards in computing.

Demonstrated modular programming, one of the earliest forms of mechanical reprogramming.

This invention is factually documented and preserved in manuscripts, some of which reside in Istanbul's Topkapi Palace Library and Oxford University.

The "Touch-Based Map" Claim: Clarifying the ConfusionYou mentioned a map where touching different parts revealed names or places. This concept is not directly attributed to al-Jazari or any other Islamic engineer in historical sources. Here's the truth:

What we know:

No verified historical records exist of a "touch-sensitive map" like an interactive world map.

However, the Elephant Clock and other water clocks did display rotating zodiac, astrological, or geographical dials that changed over time using clockwork.

Al-Biruni, a polymath from the 11th century, mapped the world with remarkable precision using mathematical geography, but no touch-based interactivity existed.

Thus, the “touch-and-respond” map might be a modern misinterpretation or embellishment—not a verifiable fact.

Other Significant Contributions from Muslim Inventors

1. Banu Musa Brothers (9th century, Baghdad)

Wrote The Book of Ingenious Devices

Created automatic fountains, self-trimming lamps, and early feedback-controlled systems

Used valves and flow regulators to adjust pressure and water levels—early principles of control engineering

2. Al-Kindi (9th century)

Developed cryptographic systems using frequency analysis, a concept fundamental in AI-based encryption today.

3. Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (10th–11th century)

Though mostly medical, his work in diagnosis based on symptoms and logic is philosophically similar to algorithmic decision trees.

Were These Inventions “AI”?

Not in the modern sense. These machines didn’t learn or make decisions like ChatGPT or neural networks.

However, they:

Responded to user input

Used pre-programmed sequences

Demonstrated automation, feedback, and mechanical logic

These are the same design building blocks used in the evolution of robotics and artificial intelligence.