In an era of rapid and unprecedented technological advancements, artificial intelligence is no longer just a helpful tool but a force making its mark in many sectors, most notably in creativity, publishing, and writing—long the exclusive domain of the human mind. Algorithms have infiltrated the world of content, from literary and poetic texts to children's stories and illustrations, unleashing unlimited potential in a style that mimics human production. This development and radical shift raise numerous questions about the authenticity of texts and how to protect intellectual property rights amid this boom, as well as the future role of the writer at a time when modern technologies can produce brilliant work in record time. On what do experts and specialists interviewed by 'Emirates Today' rely to protect authentic creativity from this swift invasion and the technologies that some are using without a safety net?
A host of features Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Center for the Arabic Language, stated that the transformations and available infrastructure in the UAE help transform artificial intelligence and digital shifts, employing them to serve the Arabic language. He stressed that one should not merely prepare for new changes but must begin forcefully, as there are many benefits to be reaped through AI, especially when it comes to the context of Arab culture. Dr. bin Tamim believes the digital shift is not a challenge but a great opportunity to be leveraged. It is necessary to treat these tools as an inevitable matter with no alternative, which will reflect on culture and civilization, Arab writers and heritage, and future generations, especially since the Arabic language is highly structured and capable of easily interacting with artificial intelligence. He considers these tools will not infringe intellectual property rights, as plagiarism detection using AI is already underway, and major solutions will emerge through these tools in the future. Furthermore, global and digital publishing houses now consider hacking an e-book virtually impossible, as modern algorithms track books and send alerts to publishing sites in case of piracy, which constitutes protection against theft.
A helping factor Dr. Fared Zahrhan, Chairman of the Egyptian Publishers Union, said, 'Artificial intelligence helps authors in searching for information and proofreading, but if it exceeds this framework, it will not be a help to authors but to 'thieves.' We do not wish for them to infiltrate the publishing and creativity sector.' He pointed out that this increases the burden on the publisher, who must verify the authenticity of the text based on their knowledge of the author, their cultural level, and their presence in the cultural scene. Zahrhan noted that these tools have always existed, and AI is not as modern as some think, but it is a more profound, complex, and sophisticated tool. It is not the first and will not be the last. He emphasized that exceeding the limits of its use will be classified as plagiarism, and he added that book publishing based on informatics will be the most affected, and its production will decrease, as such information is easily accessible. Consequently, applications will provide reference materials, while the production of books based on creativity will increase. He believes that the experience produced through this technology has clear features because it cannot rival human creativity.
A troubling question As for Nadine Bakhsh, founder of the 'Owlish' Publishing and Distribution House, she confirmed that the question of AI's connection to publishing and writing has become troubling due to a number of factors, the most prominent of which is the anxiety any publisher feels about the authenticity of the texts they receive from authors. She added that there are tools that determine the author's identity and the extent of their participation with artificial intelligence. However, she did not rule out that the great technological leap may enable AI to hide its identity in any work it does. She revealed that in her work at the publishing house, she uses AI, but for organizing and planning work, as it saves a lot of time and contributes to developing ideas for events and workshops.
A dramatic period Qasim Saudi, founder of 'Masabih' Publishing for Children's Books, said, 'We are living in a dramatic period of artificial intelligence that must be kept up with. Its biggest negative is that it leaves the writer not as a creator, nor the publisher, or even the illustrator. Now it can offer the most beautiful novels for children and adolescents with illustrations.' He pointed out that these tools may lead to the loss of the illustrator's profession, especially in children's stories, as books for future generations are now being produced with full illustrations designed by AI, and this impact may extend to the writer and publisher at a later stage. He affirmed his support for AI in medicine and scientific fields but not in creative ones. He explained that it may affect the writer's creative imagination, and authorship may become available to everyone. Noting that most publishers and even illustrators use technology for the initial design of characters, he added that keeping up with developments is important and essential, and it is necessary to 'jump on the train,' which requires a symbiosis between the publisher, writer, illustrator, and artificial intelligence.
Honesty... the guarantee Dr. Yaser Suleiman, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the International Prize for Arabic Fiction, said, 'In the age of artificial intelligence, literary prizes must emphasize one of their basic conditions: that the text is original and that the author's claim of originality is true.' He pointed out that AI has the intelligence that allows it to uncover the authenticity of the text. Moreover, human errors differ from AI errors, and there are sources confirming that the latter has not yet developed emotions and works on texts originally produced by it, as if it is reproducing itself. Suleiman added, 'We are in a great transitional phase, and the first line of defense is for the writer to have ethics. It is necessary to reconsider how texts and their authenticity are verified by those awarding the prizes. The task of awarding them will require more time.' He noted that AI has many positive benefits, especially in the fields of research and academic writing, and it saves time. But, of course, it can take a lot from us, as its first victim is honesty and ethics. It is a neutral tool, and it depends on how it is employed and used. There must be a safety belt around its use, with honesty at the forefront.'
Children's illustrators... the first victims Nadine Bakhsh, founder of the 'Owlish' Publishing House for Children's Books, believes that new technological tools may cause brain laziness; there is a kind of ease and total reliance on them, especially in translation or drafting electronic correspondence. These are tools that collect data, and therefore, they should not be entrusted with all information or original writings. She pointed out that AI has greatly affected children's literature, especially in terms of illustrations, which are now produced through it, and in many experiments, illustrators have been dispensed with. It tries to strip away the human soul and may surpass humans in the future.
• Artificial intelligence has become a force making its mark in many sectors, most notably in creativity, publishing, and writing.
