“Pretty soon we will not be teaching our children ‘A for Apple’ but ‘A for Artificial Intelligence’.”
Embracing Artificial Intelligence
The 10th Adab Festival in Karachi showcased a refreshingly optimistic engagement with artificial intelligence – an attitude that contrasts sharply with the caution/resistance often seen in Western publishing circles.
Of course, Adab does not represent all Pakistani publish-think, and there will no doubt be the usual coteries of “dignitaries” from outside the industry insisting tech is destroying reading culture (per many past TNPS reports), but within the industry it is clear the opportunities AI presents are being weighed.
A panel featuring Dr Salman Ahmed Khatani, author of “Designing Tomorrow with Artificial Intelligence”, and educationist Sadaf Bhatti, compiler of Pakistan’s first “AI Tools Dictionary”, set an ambitious tone.
Moderator Ahsan Siddiqui noted, “Pretty soon we will not be teaching our children ‘A for Apple’ but ‘A for Artificial Intelligence’.” Dr Khatani emphasised that as we move towards transhumanism, “we can also design our future.” Bhatti’s practical dictionary, complete with QR codes and links, addresses an immediate market need – though she acknowledged its rapid expansion as new tools emerge.
Collaborative Industry Spirit
The festival’s founder, Ameena Saiyid – publisher and managing director of Lightstone Publishers – demonstrated commendable industry leadership by giving equal space to titles from rival houses. This inclusive approach places the love of books above commercial competition, a model worth noting.
Diverse Voices and Heritage
Sessions amplifying marginalised perspectives offered valuable insights. The ‘Power Women of Pakistan’ panel featured activists and leaders discussing channeling rage into action, while ‘Hum Gunahgar Aurtein’ (‘Sinful Women’) saw pioneering poets Kishwar Naheed and Zehra Nigah proudly reclaiming the label for challenging social injustices.
Other notable works included Nadya Chishty-Mujahid’s Perennial College Tales – which grapples with writing across gender – and Peerzada Salman’s independently published Fever Log and Other Stories.
Archaeologists in the ‘Echoes of Mohenjodaro’ session stressed engaging youth with heritage sites, while discussions around Pakistan Lost and Senator Farhatullah Babar’s The Zardari Presidency reinforced calls for truthful historical narratives as essential for national progress.
Key Takeaway for Publishers
The festival’s message was clear: embrace technological change, champion diverse voices, and prioritise honest storytelling.
#PakistanPublishing #PakistanPublishingAI #AdabFesival2025
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
