The rise of self-publishing has given authors worldwide the ability to bypass the traditional gatekeepers of the publishing industry and share their work directly with the world. To keep up with the changing landscape, the self-publishing platform Booksie has embraced blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). In an interview with Cointelegraph, Booksie founder and CEO Sol Nasisi discussed his vision for the future of self-publishing, which is built on the powerful combination of these emerging technologies.
Blockchain technology has already been recognized for its potential in the publishing industry. In 2018, the Alliance of Independent Authors launched Blockchain for Books, a campaign that aimed to raise awareness about the benefits of blockchain in publishing. This initiative resulted in a guidebook called “Authors and Blockchain.” The core principle of a blockchain network, which is a shared public ledger, can give authors back control over their work and provide them with valuable data. Nasisi explained that as more content on the web becomes confined within “walled gardens,” blockchain can offer authors an alternative way to sell their books. Furthermore, blockchain offers transparency and enables authors to protect their work, which is especially important in a world where AI-generated content is a growing concern. According to Nasisi, the immutability and transparency of blockchain allow authors to prove that they are the creators of their work.
AI has become increasingly accessible and has been integrated into various industries worldwide. However, authors have raised concerns about the technology, particularly when it comes to alleged illegal use of their work. Authors like Sarah Silverman and the Author’s Guild have filed lawsuits against companies like Meta and OpenAI for using copyrighted material to train their AI systems without permission. Nasisi emphasized that AI should be used as a tool to assist authors rather than replace or exploit them. Booksie’s AI bot integration, for example, is designed to help writers by providing feedback on their fiction and non-fiction works.
When considering the combined potential of blockchain and AI, Nasisi believes that these technologies will fundamentally change the publishing industry in the next decade. He envisions a future where writers can combine their creativity with AI and blockchain to create entire worlds across multiple mediums and engage with fans in new ways. This future could involve authors using AI assistance to write a book and then utilizing blockchain to create limited-edition versions, video series, games based on the story’s world, and accompanying merchandise, all while maintaining ownership and transparency throughout the process.
The impact of this technological convergence extends beyond publishing, with Nasisi highlighting other industries that are ripe for disruption. He sees blockchain and AI as complementary forces that feed off each other, creating a new paradigm. Booksie and its partner, Chainletter Labs, are actively working towards this vision. Nasisi concludes that the publishing industry will never be the same with blockchain and AI leading the way. The combination of these technologies has the potential to empower authors like never before, opening up exciting new possibilities for creators and readers alike.