A significant dialogue focusing on the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the publishing industry was held in New Delhi on Friday. The Centre for Policy Research and Governance (CPRG) organized "AI in Publishing," an official pre-summit event leading up to the much-anticipated India-AI Impact Summit scheduled for 2026.
Key Discussions on Technology and Human Judgement
The session, held at the India Habitat Centre, convened a diverse group of publishers, academics, and industry specialists. Their collective aim was to analyze the profound shifts occurring within India's publishing landscape. These changes range from evolving reader preferences to the accelerating integration of digital tools and AI in content workflows.
Dr. Ramanand, the director of CPRG, set the tone for the discussion. He noted that the sector is undergoing visible transformation, driven not just by technology but also by broader changes in how reading is incorporated into the daily lives of students. "New roles are emerging within the industry, and AI is starting to influence editing and content creation," he stated. He emphasized that the roundtable was designed to foster an honest conversation about the future trajectory of these changes while steadfastly upholding values like diversity, originality, and crucial human judgement.
Launch of Youth Readership Study and Expert Caution
A highlight of the event was the release of CPRG's Youth Readership Study: Patterns and Preferences. Key findings from this research were shared during the dialogue, providing data-driven insights into the habits of young readers. The launch was attended by BJP National Organiser V. Satish.
While acknowledging AI's potential to facilitate publishing, experts urged caution. Prof. K.G. Suresh, Director of the India Habitat Centre, stressed that editorial responsibility must remain paramount. "Publishers need to be careful about how it is used, especially in self-publishing. Awareness of growing dependence on technology, particularly among students, will remain important," he advised.
Echoing this sentiment, Prabhat Kumar, Director of Prabhat Prakashan, argued that AI should act as a support system for human creativity, not a replacement. "Its growing use across publishing, including in design, calls for clear checks and balances," he added, highlighting the need for governance frameworks.
The Path Forward for Publishing
This pre-summit dialogue forms a critical part of CPRG's broader Future of Society initiative. It successfully provided a platform for stakeholders to address both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI. The consensus pointed towards a future where technology enhances the publishing process but is guided by ethical considerations and irreplaceable human editorial oversight. The discussions here are expected to feed into the larger conversations at the India-AI Impact Summit in 2026.
