I love this take from Stephen Witt, author of the wonderful new book THE THINKING MACHINE, on where books are going in the age of AI. Effectively he makes the case that authors will sell interactive knowledge databases that enable dozens of different types of readers with different interests to output books custom tailored to their specific interests.
This is actually quite similar to what Steven Johnson (the acclaimed author + Editorial Director at Google Labs, part of the team building and refining NotebookLM) told us in a recent conversation.
Steven described the writer becoming an “AI-enabled reporter–curator,” continually enriching a searchable, updatable corpus rather than issuing discrete editions.
There are two questions that come to mind:
1 - How will this impact the business model for writers?
2 - How will it change the craft — the artistry — of what it is that a given writer brings to their work?
Selling access to an interactive database seems to lend itself to a subscription model, as Stephen suggests in our exchange.
When it comes to the art of writing, I am inclined to think that readers will be interested in both the "directors cut" of the book -- the version that an author chooses to put forward -- and the opportunity to receive more personalized advice via AI. In a conversation earlier today with the Author Caroline Webb, she compared it to personalized medicine -- most everything will arguably more personalized in our AI-enabled future, from vitamins to books to clothing.
Live conversation with influential thinkers will arguably become more valuable over time — I think we are already seeing this — and I like to think in-person experiences will become ever more valuable.
I am curious to hear what others think.
A follow up question for Stephen — do you think the economics of being a writer will become more compelling or less compelling in this AI-enabled future?
I love this take from Stephen Witt, author of the wonderful new book THE THINKING MACHINE, on where books are going in the age of AI. Effectively he makes the case that authors will sell interactive knowledge databases that enable dozens of different types of readers with different interests to output books custom tailored to their specific interests.
This is actually quite similar to what Steven Johnson (the acclaimed author + Editorial Director at Google Labs, part of the team building and refining NotebookLM) told us in a recent conversation.
https://authorinsider.nextbigideaclub.com/p/the-best-ai-tool-for-writers-and
Steven described the writer becoming an “AI-enabled reporter–curator,” continually enriching a searchable, updatable corpus rather than issuing discrete editions.
There are two questions that come to mind:
1 - How will this impact the business model for writers?
2 - How will it change the craft — the artistry — of what it is that a given writer brings to their work?
Selling access to an interactive database seems to lend itself to a subscription model, as Stephen suggests in our exchange.
When it comes to the art of writing, I am inclined to think that readers will be interested in both the "directors cut" of the book -- the version that an author chooses to put forward -- and the opportunity to receive more personalized advice via AI. In a conversation earlier today with the Author Caroline Webb, she compared it to personalized medicine -- most everything will arguably more personalized in our AI-enabled future, from vitamins to books to clothing.
Live conversation with influential thinkers will arguably become more valuable over time — I think we are already seeing this — and I like to think in-person experiences will become ever more valuable.
I am curious to hear what others think.
A follow up question for Stephen — do you think the economics of being a writer will become more compelling or less compelling in this AI-enabled future?
Sir,Grateful to Author Inside and Next Big Idea Club.Sir,you’ve FORECASTED the NEXT BIG IDEA on Books in Mr.
Stephen’s view, from “static printed document” to “interactive knowledge database.”…Pl.Guide how this works!