Students learn to draw, write with AI at comic workshop

The future of storytelling took a playful turn at the ongoing 44th Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) as a group of curious young minds gathered for a storytelling workshop aimed at introducing the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to students –some as young as four years old.

The “Writing Comic Strips with AI” session showed participants how to use AI-driven creative tools to generate ideas, design characters and help budding artists shape their own comic universes.

“This workshop is about showing how AI can be a co-creator, not a replacement,” said Ritin Nair, the facilitator of the session.

“We want kids to see that technology can expand their imagination – not limit it.”

However, some like Abigail, 4 years old,, who’s barely started school, the half-hour class was all about learning shapes and sizes. “I loved to colour the cartoons.”

“Today’s workshop had really small kids who don’t fully know how to use AI yet. So for the younger ones, we gave cutouts of comic strips and asked them to fill them creatively. For older participants however, we guide them to use AI prompts to help generate ideas, dialogue, and storylines. They fill the strips, draw characters, and then ask AI for better suggestions – it’s all about creativity and experimentation,” explained Nair.

Brothers Nabil Abdirahman, 14, and Yunis, 12, from the Victoria International School of Sharjah, worked together to build a futuristic world.

“We made a superhero who can speak every language,” said Nabil proudly.

“AI helped us come up with new ideas for how he could use that power.”

“It was fun because I didn’t know a computer could help write jokes,” added Yunis, grinning as he flipped through his first comic strip.

The 12-day annual fair being organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) under the theme “Between you and a book,” features over 750 workshops covering topics like creative writing, translation and screenwriting, with some aimed at children and adults.

These workshops are part of a larger programme of over 1,200 events.

Meanwhile, the “Moving Ballerinas” workshop saw a packed house at the SIBF 2025, where more than 20 excited children came together to try a hands-on activity that explored the intersection of art and physics, with the young participants crafting ballerinas that could spin.

Led by trainer Cheryl and other support staff, the activity promoted learning across the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) fields. “We’re making a moving ballerina using a battery and a magnet,” Cheryl explained.

“It focuses on motion, gears, and art in movement. The significance of this activity is that it links physics with artistic expression, teaching rotational movement and mechanical motion, while encouraging creativity, rhythm, and coordination.”

Using simple materials such as copper wire for the structure, crepe paper for the skirt, and batteries and magnets for motion, children constructed their miniature dancers step by step.

The activity started with the little ones moulding the ballerina’s head and arms from copper wire, then forming the torso, wrapping the base of the battery with three strands of copper, and finally adding the skirt. When the completed figures were placed over a magnet, the children’s eyes lit up as their creations spun gracefully.

The excitement in the room was contagious.

Cousins Mariam and Noor, who participated in the workshop, cheered each other on as they carefully shaped their ballerinas, determined to progress at the same pace.

“I am really enjoying this activity and can’t wait to show my moving ballerina to my parents,” Mariam shared with a big smile.

Meanwhile, Daniel, another participant, showed a budding engineer’s curiosity when he noticed his ballerina slowing down. “I think the battery needs replacing,” he told Cheryl, eager to get his dancer moving again.

The “Moving Ballerinas” workshop highlighted how science and art can come together to inspire learning. Through this playful workshop, children learned about electrical circuits and motion and also explored self-expression and creativity.