Waterstones considers selling AI‑generated titles if transparently labelled and driven by customer demand, amid ongoing industry debates on ethics and authors’ livelihoods.
Waterstones says it would sell books produced using artificial intelligence, provided such works are clearly labelled and there is demonstrable customer demand, its chief executive James Daunt told the BBC’s Big Boss podcast. According to the original report, Daunt said Waterstones currently avoids placing AI‑generated titles on its shelves and that his instinct as a bookseller is to ‘recoil’ from such material, but that the final decision rests with readers. [1][2]
Daunt framed the wider surge of AI‑generated content as largely unsuitable for bookshops, telling the podcast that most of these works are not the type Waterstones would typically stock. Industry data and commentary show the publishing sector is engaged in a heated debate about the commercial and ethical implications of generative AI, notably the potential threat to authors’ livelihoods and the use of copyrighted works to train large language models. [1][2][3]
A University of Cambridge survey cited in coverage found more than half of published authors fear being replaced by AI, and two‑thirds believe their writing has been used without permission to train models. The finding underlines why many in the industry are wary of unlabelled or misleading claims about authorship. [1]
Despite those concerns, coverage notes some writers are already adopting AI tools for research, editing or idea generation, and fully AI‑generated novels and long‑form works have begun to appear on the market. Daunt acknowledged this reality while emphasising that readers tend to prize a human connection with authors , a factor he believes will limit the prominence of AI books in Waterstones stores. [1][3]
Daunt has led Waterstones since 2011 and is credited with reshaping the chain by decentralising buying decisions and ending longstanding practices that favoured paid prominence in stores. Reporting also highlights that he runs Barnes & Noble in the United States and that both chains are profitable, making a future share flotation increasingly likely, though no decision has been taken on whether any IPO would be listed in London or New York. [1][5]
Maintaining editorial distance, the company said in effect that it would only carry AI‑authored titles that are transparently presented to customers; according to coverage, Waterstones would label such works to avoid misleading buyers and would only stock them if readers show interest. That stance mirrors wider calls across the industry for clear disclosure of AI involvement in creative works. [1][2][3]
As the market for AI‑assisted and AI‑authored books evolves, booksellers, publishers and authors will face practical and regulatory choices about disclosure, copyright and consumer protection; the debate is ongoing and likely to intensify as more AI‑generated long‑form works enter circulation. [1][2][3][4]
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##Reference Map:
- [1] (DIGITAL WATCH) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7
- [2] (YAHOO) – Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7
- [3] (AOL) – Paragraph 2, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6, Paragraph 7
- [4] (THE CANARY) – Paragraph 7
- [5] (THE GUARDIAN) – Paragraph 5
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:
10
Notes:
The narrative is fresh, with the earliest known publication date being 8 December 2025. The report is based on a recent interview with James Daunt on the BBC’s Big Boss podcast. ([dig.watch](https://dig.watch/updates/waterstones-open-to-selling-ai-generated-books-but-only-with-clear-labelling?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
Direct quotes from James Daunt, such as his instinctive ‘recoil’ from AI-generated content, are unique to this interview and have not appeared elsewhere.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from reputable sources, including the BBC and Digital Watch Observatory, enhancing its credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims align with known industry discussions on AI-generated content in publishing. James Daunt’s cautious stance on AI-generated books is consistent with his previous statements. ([dig.watch](https://dig.watch/updates/waterstones-open-to-selling-ai-generated-books-but-only-with-clear-labelling?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is fresh, with unique quotes from a recent interview with James Daunt. The sources are reputable, and the claims are plausible and consistent with industry discussions.
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