BISG and BookNet Canada Release New White Paper on AI in the Book Industry

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future consideration for the book industry—it’s here, and it’s shaping how work gets done across the supply chain.

To help the industry make sense of this rapidly evolving landscape, the Book Industry Study Group, through its AI Working Group, has partnered with BookNet Canada to release a new white paper examining how AI is being used across the North American book publishing ecosystem—and what it means for the road ahead.

More than just a snapshot in time, the report is part of a broader BISG effort to provide practical guidance, foster industry-wide dialogue, and support responsible AI adoption across editorial, metadata, marketing, and supply chain operations.

A Resource for an Industry in Transition

The white paper draws on insights from a wide range of industry professionals and reflects the complexity of the current moment: one defined by both experimentation and uncertainty.

While AI adoption is clearly underway, the report highlights a lack of consistent standards, governance, and shared best practices.

What the Data Tells Us

To ground the report in real-world experience, the white paper incorporates findings from a 2025 industry survey of 559 professionals, offering a data-informed view of how AI is being approached today.

A few key takeaways:

• Nearly half of respondents report using AI—46% of individuals and 48% of organizations
• The most common use cases are practical and workflow-driven, including:
  • Administrative and operational tasks
  • Marketing and audience engagement
  • Data analysis and reporting
• Copyright concerns dominate, with 86% of respondents citing control over copyrighted material as a primary issue

Taken together, these insights reinforce a central theme of the white paper: the industry is moving forward with AI, but doing so thoughtfully, and with clear concerns that still need to be addressed.

From Insight to Action

The release of this white paper is just one part of BISG’s broader AI initiative.

Through the AI Working Group, BISG is not only tracking how AI is being used, but also developing resources, educational programming, and best practices that can help organizations navigate implementation in a way that aligns with industry values.

To build on the findings in the report, BISG is continuing its “AI and the Book Publishing Industry” webinar series with two upcoming sessions:

AI in Publishing: Editorial, Metadata, and Reader Trust
Thursday, May 7 — Featuring Sarah Cole (Emerson College)

AI in the Publishing Supply Chain: Services, Solutions, and Innovation
Thursday, May 21 — Featuring Brooke Dobson (Shimmr AI)

These sessions are designed to move the conversation forward in a meaningful, grounded way—connecting big-picture questions with real-world applications.

What’s Next

As AI continues to evolve, so too will its role in publishing. BISG and BookNet Canada plan to field the survey again in 2026, ensuring the industry has an ongoing, data-driven view of how adoption and sentiment are changing over time.

For now, the white paper offers something the industry has been asking for: a clear, balanced, and actionable look at where AI stands today and where it may be headed next.