By Michael Scott
Booksie chief executive Sol Nasisi envisioned blockchain integration with artificial intelligence (AI) to redefine book authorship and ownership. In an exclusive interview published by Cointelegraph, the executive considers that self-publishing allows authors to bypass the traditional gatekeepers that hindered publishing and availability.
Nasisi is optimistic that the industry is destined to modernization with Booksie leading other self-publishing platforms into embracing blockchain and AI. The Booksie founder is optimistic that the future of self-publishing lies in tapping the potential of AI and blockchain technologies.
Blockchain to Bolster Transparency and Ownership
Blockchain technology utilization in the publishing industry surfaced in 2018 when the Alliance of Independent Authors (AIA) unveiled an awareness campaign to sensitize members to its potential. They established Blockchain for Books led to the publication of Authors and a Blockchain guidebook.
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The blockchain network operates on the principle of sharing the public ledger, which enables authors to regain control over their authorship. Nasisi indicated that blockchain eliminates the walled gardens existing in the traditional web to offer additional pathways to sell their books.
Nasis explains that blockchain delivers digital book publishing, redefining the purchasing experience through real ownership. Besides, it offers access to rare work captured in limited editions without hindering the participation of book collectors and resellers in the external markets.
Nasisi illustrates that blockchain guarantees transparency while empowering authors to safeguard their work. Immutability and transparency are possible via blockchain technology, enabling the authors to prove the authenticity of their work. Such is critical given the widespread concerns with AI-generated content.
AI to Empower Writers Rather than Replace Them
Booksie founder considers that AI use has become mainstream since last year. Accessible AI has seen widespread integration into business operations in every industry worldwide.
AI utilization has seen authors contest its utilization, alleging it facilitates illegal usage of their work. In July last year, author Sarah Silverman filed charges against ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI and Meta, alleging copyright infringement by using his work in trading AI systems without authorization.
A similar lawsuit would emerge two months later in September, when the Author’s Guild sued the Microsoft-backed OpenAI, alleging it misused copyrighted material to train the AI models. A similar suit was initiated by The New York Times arguing OpenAI infringed copyright in training its models using its content.
Nasisi stresses that AI technology is a facilitative tool for the authors rather than a channel replacing or exploiting them. The executive reiterated that they do not desire AI to execute the work for a writer.
Nasis clarified that Booksie designed the AI bot integration to assist the writers in providing feedback regarding fiction and non-fiction content.
Blockchain and AI to Fundamentally Change Publishing
Nasisi considers blockchain and AI to represent a disruptive duo that will fundamentally change the publishing industry functions in the coming decade. The Booksie founder considers a future where writers tap AI creativity and blockchain technology is inevitable.
The integration of AI seeks to create entire worlds across multiple mediums and to guarantee novel interaction with the fans. Authors could write books using AI and tap blockchain to have limited-edition, content-inspired games and video series.
Nasisi considers AI and blockchain catalysts to extend ownership and transparency besides publishing. Blockchain could foster transparency and ensure a platform to exercise ownership rights to the accompanying merchandise.
Nasisi warns that AI and blockchain harbour technological convergence potential that would disrupt the publishing industry. The impact of the technologies is evident in AI altering higher education, where blockchain promotes authenticity checks.
Nasisi affirmed that Booksie partnered with Chainletter Labs to actively pursue the vision where AI and blockchain converge to bolster the publishing industry. The potential of the technologies is ultimately disrupting the publishing industry in the coming decade.
Nasisi believes blockchain and AI will bolster self-publishing by empowering authors to create new possibilities for creators and readers.