AI transforms the book and translation industries

Generative artificial intelligence is significantly altering the book and translation industries. In the German book market, which saw a revenue decline of approximately 2.7 percent in 2025, AI is increasingly being integrated into professional workflows. While audiobook revenue grew by 13.2 percent, AI tools are being rapidly adopted for audio formats and translations.

Industry professionals are shifting their perception of AI from experimental to essential. A study by the Börsenverein indicates that while only 9 percent of executives viewed AI as highly relevant in 2025, that figure rose to 31 percent in 2026, with 83 percent expecting high relevance by 2031. Current applications include proofreading, plagiarism checks, source verification, and research assistance.

In the field of translation, AI is transforming the profession through machine translation and post-editing processes. Experts suggest that to remain competitive, human translators must specialize in complex technical or legal fields, as specialized knowledge remains a critical differentiator that AI cannot easily replicate.