AI-Generated Novels Spark Controversy at Cairo International Book Fair 2026
Novels claimed to be entirely written by artificial intelligence have ignited significant controversy on social media, coinciding with the opening of the Cairo International Book Fair 2026. Readers have shared excerpts from these works, describing them as "subpar" and showing clear signs of being generated without human editing.
The debate intensified when users posted paragraphs from one of the showcased novels, revealing straightforward phrases that many deemed a "serious oversight" by the author or publisher. This reliance on AI without proper review raised concerns regarding publication standards and accountability at one of the region's largest cultural events.
In response, Mohamed Rashad, president of the Arab Publishers Union, downplayed the controversy, stating that the use of AI in writing or assisting in novel production is "natural and common." He noted a similar incident in England in 2022, where a complete novel was published using AI without any legal issues arising at that time.
Rashad further explained that the use of AI for designing book covers has become widely accepted in the publishing industry, attributing this to advancements in digital design tools and asserting that this aspect does not constitute a crisis.
He emphasized that the real issue lies not in the use of AI itself, whether in content creation or production assistance, but rather in instances where previous literary works are cited or copied without permission. Such actions represent a clear violation of intellectual property rights and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
The president of the Arab Publishers Union asserted that the key consideration in this matter is respecting the rights of original authors, regardless of whether a literary work is the result of human effort or AI assistance. Any novel shown to have been copied from another work without legal backing constitutes a clear infringement that requires accountability.
As the debate continues between those who view AI as a new tool for creativity and those who fear for the future of literary writing, discussions persist regarding the limits of technology in literature and the criteria for distinguishing between innovation and infringement of others' rights, within a venue that is expected to uphold cultural integrity rather than serve as a battleground.
