Bad news for the Luddite Fringe.

The latest PwC report is bad news for the Luddite Fringe.

AI Drives Productivity and Revenue

Industries most able to use AI have seen revenue generated per employee grow 3X faster than less AI-exposed sectors. Since 2022, productivity growth in these industries has nearly quadrupled, while it has slightly declined in sectors less exposed to AI.

AI Skills Command a Premium

Workers with AI-related skills now earn a 56% wage premium, up from 25% last year, reflecting the rising value of AI expertise.

AI Adoption Is Universal

All industries, including those previously considered less relevant, are increasing their use of AI, signalling broad recognition of its value.

Job Growth, Not Just Job Loss

Contrary to common fears, job numbers and wages are growing in nearly every occupation exposed to AI – even in highly automatable roles. AI is being used to enhance worker value and productivity, not just to cut headcount.

Rapid Skills Evolution

The skills employers seek are changing 66% faster in AI-exposed jobs than in less exposed ones. This rapid change is most pronounced in roles that are highly automatable.

Implications for Book Publishing

1. Productivity and Value Creation

AI is not just about automation – it’s a tool for publishers to boost productivity, streamline editorial workflows, and create new revenue streams. From manuscript assessment to rights management and marketing, AI can help staff achieve more with less, freeing up time for higher-value creative and strategic work.

2. Skills and Workforce Transformation

The premium on AI skills is rising rapidly. Publishing professionals who develop AI literacy – prompt engineering, data analysis, content curation – will be in greater demand and command higher wages. Publishers should prioritise upskilling staff to remain competitive and avoid being left behind as the industry evolves.

3. Universal Adoption and Competitive Pressure

With every sector embracing AI, publishing cannot afford to lag. Early adopters will gain a competitive edge, whether through personalised content recommendations, automated metadata generation, or enhanced discoverability. The risk is not job loss, but stagnation if AI is ignored.

4. Growth, Not Just Efficiency

AI should be viewed as a means to grow the business – not simply to cut costs. Publishers can use AI to expand into new markets, develop innovative products, and better serve both authors and readers.

5. Trust and Responsible Use

Building trust is crucial. Transparent, ethical deployment of AI – particularly in areas like copyright, author rights, and content authenticity – will be essential for maintaining relationships with authors, readers, and business partners.

For publishing professionals, the PwC report offers reassurance: AI is a productivity multiplier and a source of new opportunities, not an existential threat.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.