Results from the AI use across the North American book industry survey

Over the last few years, artificial intelligence (AI), in particular generative AI, has taken the world by storm. In an industry where human creativity is the foundation of its structure, it’s impossible not to wonder what the use of these technologies means for anyone involved in the book supply chain.

In the book industry, while some organizations have openly embraced AI, others have completely rejected it. Some are sitting on the sidelines, wondering if this is worth their time and attention, resources which are scarce and very valuable in an industry with thin margins such as this one.

In the midst of all this, there's a lot of uncertainty about what's really happening; how employees and leadership feel about AI, and the overall level of adoption of these technologies within organizations.

In response to this need for clarity and information, the Book Industry Study Group (BISG) AI Working Group, in collaboration with BookNet Canada, developed and fielded a survey among English-language book industry professionals from the United States and Canada to not only bring some clarity to where the industry is at, but also to support the data-driven development of resources and best practices for the book industry.

The working group developed the survey to:

• Better understand how AI is already influencing day-to-day work

• Identify where experimentation is occurring and where uncertainty or hesitation remains

• Help organizations navigate AI in ways that are effective and aligned with industry values

A preview of the survey results was shared in this webinar back in September 2025, and today, we’re launching a report featuring all the key insights.

Report highlights: AI Use Across the North American Book Industry

We recommend reading the full report to better understand where the industry is at. In the meantime, here are some highlights:

• The survey received 559 total responses with a 90% completion rate, indicating strong engagement from participants.

• Just under half of respondents said they use AI as individuals (46%) and 48% said their organization used AI.

• The top three areas where AI is being used the most are:

  • Administrative or operational tasks (individuals: 24%; organizations: 29%)

  • Marketing activities (individuals: 20%; organizations: 29%)

  • Data analysis or reporting (individuals: 20%; organizations: 21%)

• The primary concern for survey respondents around AI in the industry is inadequate controls around the use of copyrighted material (86%).

Keeping a finger on the pulse: The 2026 edition of the survey is coming soon!

BISG and BookNet Canada recognize that the use and adoption of AI is an ever-evolving subject with huge potential to disrupt the industry; as such, both organizations have partnered to ensure this survey is fielded again over the summer of 2026. So, subscribe to our weekly newsletter to be among the first to receive the survey link. Whether you’re enthusiastic or skeptical, your participation will help us understand what has changed compared to 2025 and what’s new for industry professionals over the past year.