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RIYADH: The King Abdulaziz Center for World Culture (Ithra) recently held its Reading Enrichment Forum for adults, with 30 students from 14 Arab countries taking part.

The 14-day event, which began on July 19, was filled with dialogue and interactive sessions, with a number of esteemed authors taking part.

Six people qualified to compete for the title of “Reader of the Year for the Arab World,” in a competition set for Dec. 5-6.

At the Shelves of Knowledge activity, students learned about the library’s classification system, browsing archives and learning how to access multilingual collections.

The forum delved into the intersection of literature and technology, with an interactive session exploring how to identify AI-generated texts.

Participants developed skills for identifying AI-generated content by analyzing patterns, detecting stylistic inconsistencies and detecting the lack of emotional depth often seen in machine-written works.

Hassan Al-Sharif, assistant professor of philosophy at Taiba University, conducted a workshop on employing AI tools in writing and translation.

The workshop explored the ways AI tools can support writers, from preparing initial drafts and overcoming writer’s block to providing instant translation across languages.

A large portion of the session focused on the ethics of using AI, including how to appropriately assign work to tools, the importance of maintaining authenticity and the potential risks of over-reliance on technology.

The discussion encouraged participants to think critically about the responsibilities of contemporary writers in a digital world, fostering a deeper understanding of the opportunities and limitations posed by AI.

In a comprehensive session, Saudi writer and publisher Mohammed Al-Furaih introduced participants to the world of book publishing and reviewed the journey of a manuscript, from submission to final printing, highlighting the roles of editors, agents, marketing teams and publishing houses.

Al-Furaih also discussed the decision-making processes publishers follow when choosing which books to invest in, offering advice to aspiring writers on how to navigate this system.

He said that writing is an art, while publishing is an industry — and understanding how it works is important for any writer aspiring to publish their work.

The forum continued to enhance participants’ creative development through a series of writing exercises, designed to further hone their writing skills and help them move closer to completing their final pieces.

The forum also featured a workshop presented by Iman Al-Azzouzi.

Her interactive session focused on the art of reading texts through a variety of reading exercises.

Iman encouraged participants to look beyond texts and delve into meaning, tone, structure and context.

The session encouraged effective discussion, reflection and interpretation, equipping participants with the tools necessary to become more reflective leaders.

On the practical side, writer Mohammed Al-Daba outlined the “successful newsletter” as a personal and professional tool for thought leadership, while journalist and poet Browin Habib took the audience on a behind-the-scenes tour of cultural interviews.

BEIRUT: When Moroccan producer Ramoon began work on “101,” his genre-blending new album with rapper 7Ari, he knew the project needed an equally boundary-pushing partner. That vision led him to Mass Appeal — the US-based production house co-owned by legendary rapper Nas.

“I think us and Mass Appeal, we were aligned. We saw things the same way — especially when it comes to Western inspiration and the sound we’re building,” Ramoon said.

The partnership underpins an album that refuses to be boxed in. “For me as a producer, I don't put myself in a box and I don't like to limit myself,” he said. “Whenever I’m making music, I go by feelings.”

Though music production is often seen as a solitary craft, Ramoon’s studio is anything but. As he speaks, the energy of collaboration still lingers — a reminder of the creative force that shaped “101.”

“As a producer, you're not just making beats — you're shaping the vision, guiding the lyrics, the themes, everything,” he explained.

That vision came alive through his chemistry with 7Ari. “From the start, I knew Harri was like me — super versatile. He just needed a producer to push him,” Ramoon said.

Unlike many Arab projects that lean heavily into politics, “101” takes a more universal approach, blending global sensibilities with subtle Moroccan influences. “You can't just start with heritage up front — people won’t listen. You’ve got to mix it in, subtly,” he explained.

For Ramoon, Morocco’s sound is inherently undefinable. “We're a mix of Africa, the Middle East, Europe — even the US. That’s what makes the Moroccan sound unique.”

The result is an album that embraces the messy, layered beauty of Morocco’s — and the Arab world’s — many influences, inviting listeners everywhere to step inside its sound.