The Intelligent Assistant in Information Search and Retrieval, with a Focus on Publishing.

Abstract

The study investigates the capabilities of an AI-driven chatbot in searching for and retrieving information on one hand, and its potential use in publishing and managing its operational workflows on the other. The author traces the historical evolution of computer-assisted searching across successive chronological phases. The first phase originated in ancient libraries during the era of manuscripts and print materials, where researchers and scholars manually browsed physical registers and logbooks that catalogued library collections. The second phase involved searching through traditional card catalogues, lists, and bibliographies. The third phase emerged in the 1960s with the integration of electronic computers into various library operations and services. The fourth phase saw the rise of web search engines, spanning roughly from 2000 to 2010. The fifth phase, which flourished between 2010 and 2020, was characterized by discovery tools: platforms that unified disparate sources, such as books, journal articles, and databases, into a single interface up to the current AI-driven smart search phase, initiated around 2020 and ongoing. This phase can be designated as the "Intelligent Assistant Phase," marking a paradigm shift from retrieval to generation, from linear to conversational search, and from explicit to implicit querying. Consequently, the intelligent assistant acts as an AI agent functioning as an autonomous team member performing self-directed tasks to retrieve information. Regarding publishing, the study highlights the significance of AI integration within the industry. Drawing on practical applications of these intelligent agents, the author outlines their specific benefits for authors, readers, libraries, and publishers alike. Furthermore, the author proposes an applied Arabic publishing model in which the AI agent handles the initial reception of manuscripts, generates abstracts and tables of contents, drafts peer-review reports for submitted works, suggests keywords and subject headings, produces cataloging metadata and bibliographic lists for forthcoming publications, formulates local, regional, and international marketing strategies, and engages in conversational interactions with readers to answer their inquiries regarding the publishing house's catalog.