The University of Jordan (UJ) held the 9th International Conference on E-Publishing (ICEPUB 2025) from 28 - 30 October 2025, under the theme “Human – Knowledge – Generative AI Nexus in Higher Education Institutions.” The annual event was organized by the Library Unit in collaboration with the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information (AFLI).
The three-day conference, opened under the patronage of UJ President, Prof. Nathir Obeidat, brought together distinguished researchers, academics, and representatives from educational and technological institutions in Jordan, the Arab region, and around the world.
In his opening remarks, Obeidat emphasized the importance of human capital in development and the role of education in fostering skills, understanding, and empathy in the age of rapid technological change. He highlighted that while AI possesses vast data capabilities, it lacks wisdom and life understanding, underlining the need for human-guided innovation and responsible application of technology.
Director of the Library Unit and Chair of the Conference, Dr. Mujahed Thneibat, explained that the conference serves as a platform for exchanging expertise and discussing the digital divide and required human skills, adding that the conference’s four main themes include rethinking higher education and libraries in the age of artificial intelligence, knowledge management and human capital, the ethical dimensions of digital tools, and the future of AI in higher education institutions.
A round-table discussion focused specifically on generative AI policies and practices, and specialized workshops were conducted by leading international organizations such as UNESCO, Dar Almandumah, Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Taylor & Francis.
Participants explored the ethical use of generative AI, its role in fostering creativity and innovation in academic libraries, digital literacy, and strategies for narrowing the knowledge gap amid rapid digital transformation. The conference highlighted both regional and international experiences in applying AI to data management, knowledge organization, and scientific research.
Dr. Nashrawan Taha, Chair of the Scientific Committee, described the conference as a pioneering platform for sharing expertise on generative AI in higher education.
The conference concluded with a set of recommendations, including: Developing institutional and educational frameworks that align with digital transformation, restructuring libraries to support knowledge management and digital innovation, Building human capital to implement institutional generative AI systems based on reliable scientific data, launching national training programs to teach generative AI skills across society, integrating generative AI competencies and their ethical dimensions into educational curricula, establishing clear national policies and legislation on generative AI applications, organizing awareness workshops and seminars on the ethical, social, and environmental implications of AI, and enhancing local and international cooperation and knowledge exchange in the field.
The conference also featured six scientific sessions, workshops, and an exhibition showcasing the latest digital applications in libraries and higher education. Researchers and experts from Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Syria, Tunisia, Oman, the United Kingdom, and France participated, enriching discussions on the intersection of AI, knowledge, and human capital.