This growth was supported by the release of over 2,000 digital knowledge resources and – don’t tell the Luddite Fringe – AI-powered audiobooks, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to digitising Arabic literature.
As AI and other digital technologies reshape global industries, cultural institutions face the challenge of adapting while preserving heritage.
Different countries and cultures have different approaches, as we have seen, from pragmatic engagement in the US to hysterical opposition in the UK, while countries newer to the world map and therefore less laden with historical baggage take new technological innovation in their stride.
The recent Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, organised by the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), exemplifies how innovation can enhance Arabic content in the digital sphere. In an interview with Gulf News (https://shorturl.at/bQyQx), Dr Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, discussed the challenges facing Arabic in the digital era and the Centre’s strategies to overcome them through cutting-edge solutions.
Navigating Digital Challenges
Bin Tamim highlighted key obstacles, including the scarcity of high-quality Arabic digital content, substandard translations, and insufficient investment in Arabic-language resources.
Arguing that “Arabic is more complex to digitise than languages like English or French due to its structure and etymological depth,” Bin Tamin views AI not as a threat but as an opportunity: “With strategic investment, AI can transform Arabic content development, improving accessibility and quality.”
Digital Publishing Successes
The ALC’s digital initiatives have yielded remarkable results. Over the past year, digital book sales surged by 644%, with a 144% increase in copies sold. This growth was supported by the release of over 2,000 digital knowledge resources and – don’t tell the Luddite Fringe – AI-powered audiobooks, reinforcing the Centre’s commitment to digitising Arabic literature.
AI and Linguistic Innovation
Among the ALC’s ambitious projects are the Arabic-English Digital Lexicon and the BAREC initiative – a collaboration with NYU Abu Dhabi to compile a 10-million-word annotated Arabic corpus. Additionally, the Poetic Intelligence Lab helps teach classical Arabic metre and literary forms, merging tradition with technological innovation.
Interactive Digital Initiatives
At the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, the ALC showcased its “Digital Square,” featuring AI-driven tools such as:
* Scan & Read: A QR-based reading programme
* Try Your Voice: Interactive audiobook activities
*Selfie Across Time: An augmented reality (AR) experience with historical figure Ibn Sina
These initiatives demonstrate how technology can make Arabic content more engaging and accessible.
The Future of Arabic in the Digital Age
Looking ahead, the ALC plans deeper AI integration in publishing and education, aligning with the UAE’s digital transformation goals. By leveraging AI, the Centre intends to ensure Arabic remains a dynamic, influential language in the digital era.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
