In the US, writers orgs have moved to meet AI midway, pragmatically recognising issues like copyright and compensation but also recognising the genuine opportunities AI offers writers. In the UK the language is incendiary.
Register now to secure a seat at two presentations by Daniel Benchimol, both with an AI theme.
“CONFERENCE
When the Machine Creates: Book Publishing in the Age of AI (or How to Remain Indispensable)”
Benchimol: Let’s talk bluntly about:
– Who is the author of a work and how is authorship redefined in the age of AI? – What about intellectual property and copyright?
-Can we consider Artificial Intelligence creative?
-What will be the labor impact of this technology in our sector?
-How will it affect in cultural and economic terms?
-What are the most important risks and threats?
-What is the role of editors and how can they continue to be indispensable?
MASTERCLASS
“AI applied to the book industry. Strategies, tools and use cases”
Dates and times in the linked post, below.
The View From The Beach
The theme of AI, it’s challenges and its opportunities, is going to dominate the next few years in global publishing, and it’s important we in our Anglophone western publishing bubble understand this is a truly global phenomenon that we need to adapt to.
One element missing from Daniel Benchimol’s plans here, that I would love to see addressed at some point, is the reaction of the writing community, the unsung heroes that underpin our industry, in the non-Anglophone markets.
In the English-language markets, AI is being demonised by certain elements in the writing community that present AI as an existential threat rather than the most exciting opportunity in publishing n living memory.
And this is colouring how the other side of the publishing industry are able to frame their own response to AI.
In the US the mood in the writing sector is relatively sober. AI is perceived as a challenging opportunity for writers rather than the end of civilisation as we know it, which seems to be the dominant narrative in the UK and Australia.
Two Nations Divided By A Common Enemy
In the US writers orgs have moved to meet AI midway, pragmatically recognising issues like copyright and compensation but also recognising the genuine opportunities AI offers writers.
In the UK the language is incendiary. Theft. Heist. Stealing or books. Stealing our jobs. Stealing our children. AI is the enemy. Rational thought is the enemy. And hiding behind subtle differences in legal interpretations of copyright laws to fuel a fire of their own making.
Elsewhere around the world, industry and writer reactions to AI are more considered, and the mood is to see AI as a levelling opportunity, where industries traditionally hamstrung by small market, minor language, and legacy distribution challenges, are suddenly not just able to compete, but able to leapfrog many of their western counterparts.
They understand that AI won’t steal their jobs, but those who know how to use AI likely will.
This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.
