Abu dhabi: TRENDS Research and Advisory, a part of TRENDS Group, hosted a symposium titled 'The Future of Publishing in the AI Era: Protecting Language, Culture and Creative Identity' during its debut participation as a Knowledge Partner at the 39th Moscow International Book Fair 2026. The event highlighted the shifts in publishing influenced by artificial intelligence and its broader implications on knowledge, culture, identity, and influence.
According to Emirates News Agency, TRENDS showcased over 500 original and translated publications at its pavilion, offering insights into global strategy, regional transformations, and various fields such as security, economics, and technology. These works, translated into more than 16 languages, cover topics including political Islam, international relations, health, and climate.
Ali Abdullah Al Ali, Researcher and Director of TRENDS Dubai, opened the symposium discussions moderated by Dr. Aurika Shavtikova from RT Arabic. Al Ali emphasized that AI is reshaping how information is produced and shared, raising questions about future knowledge curation. He highlighted the importance of maintaining cultural diversity in the digital future to avoid homogenization of narratives and perspectives.
Elena Grebeneva, CEO of the Moscow International Book Fair, stressed the significance of international collaboration in the publishing sector to protect creative identity amid increasing use of AI in writing and publishing. She argued that AI cannot replace human writers due to its limitations in replicating emotions and storytelling.
Tatiana Rodionova, Executive Director of Lira Publishing House, noted the evolving role of traditional publishers as guardians of quality and credibility. She described AI as a supportive tool that should be harnessed to enhance the publishing process while safeguarding creative identity and cultural integrity.
Denis Filippov, General Director of the MTS Center for Artificial Intelligence, addressed the challenges posed by AI's reliance on data quality, particularly for languages like Arabic and Russian. He advocated for the digitization of cultural heritage and the development of AI tools that respect cultural nuances.
In addition to its symposium activities, TRENDS Research and Advisory engaged with the International Committee of the Red Cross Regional Delegation for Russia and Belarus. The meeting, attended by Assem Elessawy, Deputy Head of the ICRC Regional Delegation, underscored the evolving humanitarian sector and the need for innovative analytical tools to address crises.
The discussions highlighted the role of research institutions and think tanks as essential components in guiding humanitarian efforts, particularly in challenging regions.