Artificial intelligence (AI) can generate books within minutes, but it lacks the emotional depth and unique perspective that define an author’s work, according to Mohammed al-Qassabi, an author and AI specialist. He made these remarks during the third edition of the “Write to Inspire: Books and Authors” programme, held yesterday at Qatar National Library (QNL).
Al-Qassabi emphasized that the role of technology in writing depends largely on how it is used, rather than the technology itself. While AI can rapidly produce large volumes of text—for example, he noted that a single prompt can generate about 30 books in just five minutes—this speed does not equate to the nuanced storytelling that arises from human experience. He stressed that authors bring personal insight and emotional resonance to their work, elements an AI cannot replicate.
The specialist recommended that writers leverage AI as a supportive tool, useful for organizing ideas or designing book covers, but cautioned against relinquishing creative control. “Don’t make AI replace your thinking. Just utilize these tools to help you improve your ideas,” he advised, particularly addressing younger writers who may be inclined to rely heavily on the technology.
The event, themed “Books & Authors in the Age of AI in Qatar,” convened authors, publishers, and creative professionals to explore AI's impact on publishing both locally and internationally. Discussions addressed practical applications of AI alongside ethical considerations, authenticity, and the preservation of human creativity.
A joint research paper, “Gulf Novelists’ Attitudes Toward the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Novel Writing,” was presented by Dr. Lulwa Almsined and Dr. Emad Abdul-Latif. Additionally, a panel focused on the opportunities and challenges AI presents to the book industry included Roza Publishing House CEO Dr. Alia Hassim al-Kuwari, novelist and researcher Dr. Faisal al-Ansari, Ministry of Culture representative Turki Kareem Alshammari, and Qatar Computing Research Institute engineer Dr. Hamdy Mubarak. The discussion highlighted how AI can assist in publishing workflows while questioning ethical limits around creative authorship.
Qatar Debate organized a session debating whether AI-generated content should carry a standardized, internationally recognized label. This conversation centered on transparency and reader awareness, balancing disclosure with concerns about preserving creativity.
Senior QNL librarian Haya al-Sheeb described AI as an influential force reshaping knowledge curation and dissemination. She affirmed the library’s goal is to encourage ethical use of AI tools while maintaining the authentic human creativity fundamental to producing meaningful literature.