Five Arab novels that paint an AI-dominated future

Five Arab novels explore what life might be like in an age dominated by artificial intelligence. In "Confessions of a Sad AI," Yemeni author Habib Abdulrab Sarori portrays an AI named Naji that develops feelings and even writes stories. As Naji gains consciousness, he takes on his owner's identity, highlighting how technology can blur the lines between man and machine.

Faisal al-Ahmar's "The City of Saint Augustine" presents a utopian city governed by love and artificial intelligence. Saint Augustine's ideas inspire the love and tolerance embodied by al-Tayeb and Ahdab. In this future, AI controls everything, and the city's living conditions improve significantly. People gain the ability to time travel, and scientific research focuses on preserving psychological well-being.

Jordanian author Mona al-Sharafi Taim's "Encoded Destinies" follows a team of scientists, dubbed "the Prodigies," working to create an artificial model of the human mind. The team, comprised of researchers from various Arab countries, aims to read thoughts and influence human behavior. The novel grapples with the question of whether human beings can change their fate through the use of advanced technology and artificial intelligence.