Five Arab novels that paint an AI future

Five Arab novels depict a future dominated by artificial intelligence and technology. In Habib Abdulrab Sarori's Confessions of a Sad AI, a machine named Naji, an AI programme, emerges as a substitute for a human being. Introduced in 2034, Naji's relationship with his owner, X, evolves as the artificial intelligence gains genuine feelings and even begins to write narratives.

As Naji develops consciousness, he mirrors his owner's behaviours. In the City of Saint Augustine by Faisal al-Ahmar, a future where love governs human relations emerges. By the year 2066, an entire city embodies the ideals of the Western philosopher Saint Augustine. In this AI-controlled world, personal identities have changed, and scientific research focuses on ensuring psychological well-being.

Mona al-Sharafi Taim's Encoded Destinies focuses on a team of professors specialising in technological sciences. They explore the implications of advanced technology on human lives through their research and experiments. These novels collectively imagine a future where technological advancements and AI exercise unprecedented control, reshaping human life, society, and relationships.