A groundbreaking survey reveals widespread AI integration in Italian publishing, with 75% of brands using the technology and smaller presses leading in experimentation, highlighting a seismic shift in industry practices showcased at the Più libri più liberi fair.
The first systematic survey of artificial intelligence use in Italian book publishing, carried out by the Italian Publishers’ Association (AIE) and previewed by Il Sole 24 Ore, finds that AI is already embedded across much of the sector. According to the original report, 75.3% of responding publishing brands say they use AI tools within their organisations, rising to 96.2% among groups with turnover above EUR 5 million. [1][2]
The study details where AI is being applied: 67.1% of adopters use it for press offices and communication and the same proportion for paratexts and metadata; 50.7% employ it for covers and illustrations and 49.3% for editing, proofreading and translations. Administrative tasks (31.5%), accessibility (21.9%) and commercial analysis and sales forecasts (19.2%) were also reported. [1]
Andrea Angiolini, AIE’s innovation delegate, told Il Sole 24 Ore: “What struck us most was the speed of the response and the breadth of the response.” He added that the decision to put AI under observation a few years ago stemmed from a desire to “try to avoid both underestimates and overestimates of the phenomenon, and let’s try to give everyone the same conditions to then make their own decisions”. These remarks were given in the context of presenting the survey at the national fair. [1][2]
The findings were unveiled at Più libri più liberi, the National Fair of Small and Medium Publishing, held at the Roma Convention Center – La Nuvola from 4 to 8 December 2025. The event, promoted and organised by AIE with the support of national and regional bodies, brought together hundreds of small and medium publishers and roughly 700 appointments; organisers and regional partners such as the Lazio and Emilia‑Romagna administrations emphasised the fair’s role as a showcase for smaller publishers. The preview in Il Sole 24 Ore also noted the fair’s heightened public attention amid protests linked to the presence of an extreme right‑wing publisher. [1][3][4][5][7]
Industry observers say the prevalence of AI in the “back office” is clear, but there are signs of growing front‑end use, especially in school, university and professional publishing where digital platforms and services based on generative AI find ready ground. According to the report, large groups have an advantage through scale and existing digital infrastructures, while smaller presses are already experimenting with AI for covers, metadata and marketing. Institutional participants at the fair, including cultural partners and organisations such as Banca d’Italia, underscored the sectoral commitment to dialogue on innovation. [1][2][5][6]
AIE frames the survey as an observatory exercise intended to inform publishers and policymakers rather than to prescribe specific uses. Industry data shows rapid uptake but varied application across company sizes and segments, underlining the need for shared conditions, transparency and continued monitoring as publishers decide how to integrate AI into editorial and commercial workflows. [1][2]
📌 Reference Map:
##Reference Map:
- [1] (Il Sole 24 Ore) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 6
- [2] (Italian Publishers Association – AIE) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 6
- [3] (Regione Lazio) – Paragraph 4
- [4] (Regione Emilia‑Romagna) – Paragraph 4
- [5] (Turismo Roma / event page) – Paragraph 4, Paragraph 5
- [6] (Banca d’Italia) – Paragraph 5
- [7] (Rai Cultura) – Paragraph 4
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative presents recent findings from a survey conducted by the Italian Publishers’ Association (AIE) on AI adoption among Italian publishers. The survey was unveiled at the Più libri più liberi fair, held from 4 to 8 December 2025. The report is accessible on AIE’s official website. ([aie.it](https://www.aie.it/English.aspx?utm_source=openai)) The event and the report’s release are recent, indicating high freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Andrea Angiolini, AIE’s innovation delegate, as reported by Il Sole 24 Ore. A search for these quotes reveals no earlier usage, suggesting they are original to this report. The absence of identical quotes in earlier material supports the originality of the content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Il Sole 24 Ore, Italy’s most trusted daily newspaper for the seventh consecutive year, as certified by the Reuters Institute’s Digital News Report 2024. ([gruppo24ore.ilsole24ore.com](https://www.gruppo24ore.ilsole24ore.com/en/reuters-institute-report-il-sole-24-ore-italys-most-trusted-daily-newspaper-seventh-consecutive?utm_source=openai)) This longstanding reputation underscores the reliability of the source.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about AI adoption rates among Italian publishers align with broader trends in AI integration within Italy’s publishing sector. For instance, a report by Confindustria highlights the positive transformation AI is bringing to various sectors, including publishing. ([confindustria.it](https://www.confindustria.it/en/documents/lintelligenza-artificiale-per-il-sistema-italia-report-2025/?utm_source=openai)) The narrative’s details are consistent with these findings, enhancing its plausibility.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents original, recent findings from a reputable source, with direct quotes that appear unique to this report. The information aligns with broader industry trends, and the source’s longstanding trustworthiness further supports the narrative’s credibility.
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