Sharjah: The 'Professional Training Programme for Publishers' commenced today, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) as part of the professional events preceding the 43rd Sharjah International Book Fair, and accompanying the 14th Sharjah Publishers Conference. In collaboration with the NYU SPS Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts (PALA), the program has brought together over 200 publishers and industry professionals from 43 nations. According to Emirates News Agency, the training programme, held at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), featured top industry experts who shared cutting-edge insights on integrating Generative AI, leveraging social platforms like Meta, and harnessing the influence of TikTok to transform publishing practices. Mansour Al Hassani, General Coordinator of the Professional Conferences for the Sharjah International Book Fair, emphasized the importance of the publishing industry in Sharjah's cultural project. He expressed hopes that the session would in spire collaboration and innovation, enhancing publishers' contributions to sustainable development. Andrea Chambers, Associate Dean of the NYU SPS Center for Publishing and Applied Liberal Arts (PALA), praised the Sharjah Book Authority for its support of publishers. She highlighted the program's role in equipping publishers with skills to navigate the evolving industry landscape and connect with a global readership. Chambers noted the program's emphasis on expanding knowledge and providing a platform for diverse voices in the publishing community. The opening session, 'The Magic of Meta for Publishers,' was led by Joana Jamil, Strategic Partner Manager at Meta. Jamil discussed strategies for utilizing Meta's platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, to engage a global audience and boost book sales. She stressed the importance of tailored content for different platforms to maximize reach and impact. In another session, 'BookTok: Reimagining How Books are Recommended and Sold,' Donia Abi Nassif , Direct Creator Management Lead at TikTok, explored the growing influence of TikTok's BookTok community on book marketing and sales. Abi Nassif provided insights into leveraging BookTok's creator-driven community to enhance book and author discovery, boost engagement, and convert views into sales. The final session, 'AI and Book Publishing: Where We Are Now,' featured Chantal Restivo-Alessi, Chief Digital Officer and EVP International Foreign Language at HarperCollins Publishers. Restivo-Alessi discussed AI's current role in the publishing industry and its potential to optimize business processes, enhance productivity, and safeguard assets. The programme concluded with a hands-on exercise involving artificial intelligence in book marketing. Participants used the 'ChatGPT' application to create book summaries and marketing plans, showcasing AI's practical applications in publishing. This exercise provided valuable insights into effective AI integration in the industry.