Exploring AI, Human Experience, and Literary Expression in Saudi Fiction

Abstract

This paper explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI), humanity, and literary form in Najwa Alotaibi’s Raf Al Youm (Today’s Shelf, 2022), a contemporary Saudi novel set in a dystopian future. The study investigates how the text illuminates the profound dehumanization resulting from digitalization and the commodification of relationships, reflecting contemporary societal concerns. Through close readings of narrative techniques and thematic motifs, the analysis uncovers how AI serves as both a catalyst for redefining traditional narrative style and a critical lens on human nature. By portraying a hybrid protagonist navigating a society controlled by algorithms, Alotaibi challenges readers to reconsider notions of identity, agency, and consciousness in an increasingly automated world. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how Raf Al Youm engages with the ethical and philosophical implications of AI, offering insights into the cultural dynamics of contemporary Saudi literature.