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LoginDIBF 2026 Panel Discusses AI Use in Preserving Arabic Manuscripts
Doha, May 21 (QNA) - The Qatari Forum for authors of the Ministry of Culture, in cooperation with the Qatar National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, organized a seminar on the Arabic manuscript between heritage preservation and artificial intelligence capabilities, as part of the cultural salon activities at the 35th Doha International Book Fair (DIBF 2026).
Participants said artificial intelligence has become an important cognitive and technical tool in the verification and preservation of Arabic manuscripts and Islamic heritage.
However, they stressed that the expertise of specialized researchers remains essential for understanding, authenticating, and interpreting texts.
The seminar discussed ongoing transformations in manuscript verification amid rapid advances in digital technologies and AI tools, highlighting their potential in preserving heritage and making it accessible to new generations.
It also addressed the civilizational dimension of manuscript projects, noting that AI helps revive intellectual heritage and expand access through digitization, while emphasizing the need to balance technological use with academic rigor.
Speakers called for developing AI tools specialized in Islamic heritage and Arabic language, training researchers to use them, and strengthening cooperation between academic and technical institutions.
Dr. Yahya Al Hajj, an IT expert, highlighted challenges facing manuscripts, including physical deterioration, difficult scripts, and dispersed copies, noting that AI assists through digitization, optical character recognition, comparative analysis, and digital restoration.
They stressed, however, that AI cannot replace human scholars due to the need for precise contextual understanding, calling for a complementary model combining human expertise and technology to serve heritage without compromising its authenticity. (QNA)
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