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Artificial intelligence (AI) can produce books in minutes, but it cannot supply emotion or perspective that makes an author’s work distinctive, Mohammed al-Qassabi said at a Qatar National Library (QNL) event on Saturday. Speaking to Gulf Times at the third edition of the library’s “Write to Inspire: Books and Authors” programme, author and AI specialist al-Qassabi said that the question for writers is how to use the technology without handing over the thinking behind a book. “It depends on how we use the tools, not the tool itself,” he said. Authors bring their own perspective to a work, al-Qassabi stated, whether they are telling a story or sharing knowledge. That perspective, he stressed, cannot be produced by a prompt alone. To illustrate how easily the tools can generate material, he said: “I can, with one prompt, generate 30 books in just five minutes.”However, producing pages quickly was different from writing a book shaped by lived experience. “Humans have emotions, which AI lacks,” he said. Al-Qassabi suggested that writers use AI to organise ideas or explore a book’s design and cover, while retaining responsibility for the words and decisions that make the work their own. “In these events, we discuss how AI can help you and not replace you,” he said. His advice to young people who rely heavily on the technology was direct: “Don’t make AI replace your thinking. Just utilise these tools to help you improve your ideas.” The issue, al-Qassabi said, is less how often people use AI and more what they ask it to do for them. The programme, held under the theme Books & Authors in the Age of AI in Qatar, brought authors, publishers and creative professionals together to examine AI’s effect on publishing in Qatar and internationally. Participants discussed its practical uses alongside questions of ethics, authenticity and human creativity. Dr Lulwa Almisned and Dr Emad Abdul-Latif presented a joint research paper, Gulf Novelists’ Attitudes Toward the Use of Artificial Intelligence in Novel Writing. A panel on opportunities and challenges in the book industry brought together Roza Publishing House chief executive Dr Aisha Jassim al-Kuwari, novelist and researcher Dr Faisal al-Ansari, Turki Kareem Alshammari from the Ministry of Culture, and Qatar Computing Research Institute engineer Dr Hamdy Mubarak. The panel considered practical uses of AI in publishing workflows and the ethical boundaries of assisted writing, reflecting the event’s focus on technology without losing human creativity. Qatar Debate also hosted a discussion on whether all AI-generated content should be required to carry a standard, internationally recognised label. The question put disclosure and the reader’s ability to identify AI-produced work alongside the creative concerns raised during the programme. Senior QNL librarian Haya al-Sheeb said that the aim is to connect established publishing practices with emerging digital tools.“AI is an active force reshaping how we cultivate and distribute knowledge,” she said. The library wants authors and publishers to use it ethically “without ever losing the authentic human creativity that lies at the heart of every great book”, she added.

The Doha International Book Fair saw the inauguration of Alqantara publishing and distribution, in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Culture Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad al-Thani.Attended by a group of intellectuals, writers, and those interested in the publishing industry, the launch comes as a reflection of the growing cultural movement in the State of Qatar and the increasing role of cultural industries in supporting knowledge-based development, with publishing being at the fore.On the occasion, founder and director of Alqantara publishing and distribution, Jassim Salman said that the establishment of the publishing house stems from a belief in the importance of books in human building and awareness enhancing.The publishing house aims to serve as a cultural and intellectual bridge connecting thought, creativity, and humanity, offering writers and creators a new space for expression and production, Salman noted.Inaugurating Alqantara publishing and distribution at the Doha International Book Fair carries important cultural significance, given the book fair's role as a leading platform for intellectual dialogue and cultural exchange, he added.Salman noted that the publishing house will produce a variety of publications covering literature, thought, humanities, children's books, and translated works, with a focus on high-quality content and works that promote knowledge, openness, and dialogue.Following its launch, Alqantara publishing and distribution's first participation in the book fair is featuring a range of intellectual, literary, and translated works, with a special focus on Qatari works connected to identity and local memory.  

Al Faisal Global Foundation for Culture and Knowledge, in collaboration with Al Faisal Publishing, will launch a new book by H.E. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani entitled “Memories of Falconry: From Survival Necessity to Hobbyist Pleasure.” The launch will take place during the Katara International Hunting and Falcons Exhibition (S’hail 2025), held at Katara Cultural Village from September 10 to 14. The book presents Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim’s rich personal and cultural journey across more than 100 falconry expeditions in Qatar and abroad. It documents the historic transformation of falconry—from a vital means of survival in the past, when people relied on trained falcons and Saluki dogs to hunt houbara, rabbits, and gazelles, to today’s pursuit of sport, leisure, and tradition cherished by falconers and enthusiasts across Qatar and the wider Gulf region. “I sought in this book to record what I have witnessed, heard, and lived through in over a hundred falconry journeys within and beyond Qatar, with the aim of preserving this authentic heritage for future generations, as well as for all those interested in the culture of Qatar, the Gulf, and the Arabian Peninsula,” said Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim. He praised the efforts of the State, under the guidance of its wise leadership, in safeguarding national heritage through numerous institutions, initiatives, and exhibitions. “Launching the book during S’hail aligns perfectly with the exhibition’s mission and its status as a leading regional and international destination for falconry and hunting enthusiasts,” he added, commending the organizers for elevating S’hail into a “global platform that brings together falconers, hobbyists, and experts from around the world under one roof.” Sheikh Faisal further emphasized that the strong turnout and enthusiasm S’hail receives from all generations, especially young people, inspired the creation of this book. “Falconry has always been, and continues to be, a school of patience, responsibility, and self-reliance—an enduring pillar of Qatari and Gulf identity,” he noted. The 446-page volume is structured into eight main chapters, each rich with real-life stories and vivid recollections. These include “A Day in the recent Falconry Expedition,” “Men and Falcons – Sons of Nature,” “Falconry of the Old Days,” “The Sport of Kings and Princes,” “Falconry: A School of Manhood,” “Perilous Expeditions,” and “Hunting to the Rhythm of Shellfire.” Alongside its storytelling, the book is illustrated with a rare archival collection of photographs capturing adventures, challenges, humorous encounters, and unique moments, making it both a visual and written chronicle of falconry life. Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim expressed his hope that the book will serve as a lasting reference for future generations. He added that he aspires for it to contribute, even in a modest way, to enriching human knowledge of the balance that Qatar—through its leadership and people—has achieved between embracing modernity and global openness while preserving its cultural heritage, particularly through the living tradition of falconry handed down across generations.