The ‘TikTok Effect’ & How AI is Impacting Writers Writerful Books, 11 May 202313 May 2023 A recent study conducted in Germany has explored the reading and book-buying habits of 16 to 29-year-olds. The study, which compared habits in 2022 with those from 2017, revealed that while the number of readers in this group had fallen from 4 to 3.3 million, spending increased from 392 to 425 million euros. Some of the most surprising figures came from the youngest members of the group (aged 16-19): spending in this category rose by 19%, while the number of books bought on average rose from 7.5 to 12, with a fifth of purchases coming from social media recommendations. This suggests that social media recommendations can have a significant impact on book purchasing behaviour. Social media, particularly TikTok and BookTube, highlighted the younger generation’s avidness for reading, with the rise of cultural-aesthetic movements like dark academia. The implications of these movements are exciting, with an opportunity for publishers to think about how to reach this generation of readers hungry for words. AI & Writers The rise of AI in publishing brings novel challenges to the industry. A writers’ strike currently underway in the US has revealed that AI-generated work remains controversial among writers. The striking writers refuse to edit or finish off work produced by AI, raising questions regarding the place of AI in publishing. One of the ways in which many commentators imagine human creativity co-existing with AI involves using AI to optimise marketing, a topic currently being explored by Bookwire’s integration of ChatGPT into its One Solution software. Governments worldwide are grappling with the application of AI. The UK government recently withdrew from a plan to extend a copyright exception to text data mining. Meanwhile, another UK government consultation has sought input on how foundation models, such as big chatbots, are impacting competition in the market. Despite differing approaches to the use of AI, one thing remains clear – AI will continue to play an integral role in publishing, and the industry must navigate this new terrain. What we can be sure of is that AI still has a lot of potential in terms of easing the work of authors, publishers, and other professionals in the book industry. However, it is of utmost importance to ensure a balance between machine capabilities and the human element. As Nicholas Lovell, Founder & Director at Gamesbrief, puts it, “The question is how to use AI to amplify human creativity, not replace it.” With the encroachment of chatbots into every area of our lives, it seems that the younger generation is still committed to reading, despite traditional media’s decrease in use. Social media influencers play a significant role in driving book sales among the younger demographic, with TikTok, BookTube, and dark academia emerging as prominent influencers. AI-generated work remains a controversial topic among writers and presents unique challenges for the publishing industry. Governments worldwide are grappling with AI’s impact and are trying to create a favourable environment for AI-based businesses, including publishing. The industry must adapt to the rapidly changing publishing environment, combining tradition with innovation for continued success. As Mandy Brown says, “We’re at the very beginning of a technological upheaval that will shake publishing down to its foundations, and it will be unrecognisable in a decade – and that’s probably being conservative.” Going forward, with the ever-growing importance of AI in the book industry and in the creative process, it is essential to foster the right balance between technology and human ingenuity. Innovative ways of engaging modern readers and utilizing AI technology in an ethical way will be crucial to the success of book publishers in the coming years. As Michael Willer, CEO and Co-Founder of StoryXpress, puts it, “Successful publishers will figure out how to combine traditional marketing practices with emergent technologies very soon in order to avoid getting left behind”. Courtesy of Dan Hollway at ALLi Recommended Reading: Can ChatGPT Help You Write Better Books? The Impact of AI on Book Editing & Publishing Is AI the future of Book Editing & Publishing AI-Generated Books: The Future or a Fad? Authoring a New Era With AI Fictional Worlds of AI & Transhumanism Interview with a Sci-Fi Writer & ChatGPT Articles ChatGPTPublishing Trends