The 2024 Beijing International Publishing Forum, held on the 21st of June at the China National Convention Center, served as a significant gathering for experts, scholars, and professionals from the publishing and tech sectors. The event, organized by China National Publications Import & Export (Group) Corporation, saw the participation of over 200 individuals from various countries, all converging to delve into the theme of “Technology Innovation for Publishing”.
During the forum, Wu Shulin, president of the Publishers Association of China, underscored the pivotal role of innovation in the publishing industry. He stressed the imperative nature of embracing technological advancements and prioritizing copyright protection as the industry progresses. In addition, he highlighted the significance of digitalization in enhancing operational efficacy and reader accessibility.
Zhang Zehui, director of the Import and Export Administration Bureau of National Press and Publication Administration, urged publishers to cultivate international partnerships and invest in top-tier production to propel the industry forward. Meanwhile, Chang Bo, president of China Publishing Group, introduced the “Xunzi” Ancient Book Large Language Model, advocating for the comprehensive integration of new technologies to drive content innovation and industry transformation.
Karine Pansa, president of the International Publishers Association, brought attention to the enduring appeal of physical books, even in the digitally dominated era. She emphasized the need for publishing reforms to concentrate on creating high-quality physical books that continue to captivate readers.
Throughout the forum, industry leaders such as Alexander Broich of Cengage Select, Zhang Jiuzhen from Peking University, Arnout Jacobs of Springer Nature Greater China, Shen Jian of Xinhua Publishing House, Maurits van den Boogert of De Gruyter Brill, and Shao Dan of CNPIEC UNTRO Ltd., deliberated on the transformative impact of new technologies like AI on the publishing industry. They underscored the significance of innovation, digital integration, and high-quality development. Furthermore, they stressed the importance of nurturing adaptable talent and establishing ethical frameworks for AI application to address copyright and other pertinent issues within the industry.
The Beijing International Publishing Forum unequivocally shed light on the indispensable role of technology in moulding the future of publishing. As the industry continues to evolve and embrace digitalization, the forum provided an invaluable platform for experts to exchange insights, deliberate on emerging trends, and explore the practical implementations of technology within the publishing sphere. It is evident that innovation and technological advancements will indubitably carve the path for the future of publishing.