AI-Generated Novels Spark Debate at Cairo International Book Fair 2026
Novels reportedly written entirely by artificial intelligence technologies have sparked significant controversy on social media, coinciding with the opening events of the Cairo International Book Fair 2026. Readers shared excerpts from these works, which many criticized as "weak" and showing clear signs of being generated automatically without human revision.
The issue escalated when users posted passages from one of the showcased novels, revealing direct phrases and evident sources. Many viewed this as a "serious oversight" by the author or publisher, stemming from reliance on AI without proper literary editing. This raised questions about publishing standards and accountability at one of the region's largest cultural fairs.
In contrast, Mohamed Rachad, president of the Arab Publishers Union, downplayed the controversy, stating that using AI to write or assist in producing novels is "normal and expected." He noted a similar experience in England in 2022, where an entire novel was published using AI without any legal issues at that time.
Rachad further explained that the use of AI in book cover design has become common and accepted in the publishing industry, given the significant advancements in digital design tools. He asserted that this aspect does not represent a crisis.
He emphasized that the real concern is not the use of AI for writing or production but arises when there is citation or reproduction of previous literary works from other authors without permission. This, he noted, constitutes a clear violation of intellectual property rights and cannot be justified under any circumstances.
The president of the Arab Publishers Union confirmed that the key issue in this matter is respecting the rights of original authors, whether the literary work is the result of pure human effort or relies on AI tools. He clarified that any novel found to have been copied or adapted from another work without legal basis constitutes a clear infringement requiring accountability.
As supporters view AI as a new creative tool and opponents express concerns for the future of literary writing, the debate continues regarding the limits of technology's role in literature and the criteria for distinguishing between innovation and infringement of others' rights at a fair that should uphold culture rather than become a battleground for it.
