Chinese publishers explored the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) at the London Book Fair this year, joining global counterparts in embracing innovative technologies to revolutionize the industry. The event, which took place from March 12-14, featured panel talks on AI’s practical applications and constraints, shedding light on the industry’s shift towards more efficient and personalized processes.
Professionals discussed the implications of AI technology in editing, market analysis, and online book recommendations, emphasizing the collaborative potential between humans and AI. According to Professor Shen Yang from Tsinghua University, this collaboration could pave the way for automatic text-to-multimedia conversion, creating new revenue streams for the publishing industry.
Paolo Lombardi, director of technology innovation at the Taylor & Francis Group, highlighted the company’s exploration of integrating AI with professional translation to enhance efficiency. He underscored the importance of human authors in content production, emphasizing the ethical responsibility of utilizing AI technology.
In addition to AI, Chinese publishers showcased other cutting-edge technologies at the fair. One notable example was an immersive reading experience that featured 3D representations of creatures from ancient Chinese mythology when scanned with a smartphone. Wang Xubin, president of the Zhejiang Ancient Books Publishing House, pointed out how advanced printing technology can enhance visual materials in traditional art.
The event also saw discussions on digital content licensing and international collaborations among Chinese publishers. Peng Donglin, deputy editor-in-chief of the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, highlighted the benefits of digital content cooperation in expanding business growth and global market reach.
With more than 30,000 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors from around the world, this year’s London Book Fair marked a significant platform for Chinese publishers to showcase their contributions and engage in international cooperation. Gareth Rapley, the fair’s director, expressed optimism about the growing participation from China, fostering potential expansion in the future.
