The Future of Books … How the next decade will rewrite the concept of a book … a transformation of the publishing model built on intelligent ecosystems, distributed business models, and dynamic human experiences

August 10, 2025

The next decade will be defined not by incremental progress but by seismic shifts in how the world works. Megatrends aren’t background noise; they’re the blueprint for what’s next. From AI to aging populations, climate collapse to geopolitical fracture, companies that thrive will be those that reinvent themselves in response to the tectonic forces reshaping society.

These are the “megatrends”, the dramatic forces shaping industries and economies, societies and lives.

In my new Megatrends 2035 report I focus on these super-pathways to the future, and how they are disrupting, shaping and reinventing every industry. There are 6 megatrends:

  • Exponential Intelligence … by 2035, tech convergence will have dramatic impacts – AI, blockchain, genomics, robotics, and energy storage could together drive over $200 trillion in new market value.
  • Generational Remix … by 2035, one in six people worldwide will be aged 60 or over, rising to nearly 1.5 billion by 2035, over-65s are growing twice as fast as the under-18s.
  • Asian Century … by 2035 emerging Asia will contribute about two-thirds of global growth, China and India will together exceed $78 trillion GDP – larger than the US and Europe combined.
  • Regenerative Systems … only 6.9% of materials are reused globally, by 2035 the share of regenerated or recycled inputs in global supply chains is forecast to quadruple.
  • Multipolar World … by 2035 regional supply-chain investment will triple as companies localise production, while cross-regional trade could shrink by up to 70%.
  • Humanity Rising … by 2035, tech and green transitions will create with 170 million new roles – mostly in people-centred sectors; purpose-driven companies show 30% higher productivity and growth.

Each of these shifts will also profoundly impact the world of book publishing — not just how books are made and sold, but what they mean, how they are experienced, and who controls their stories. The next decade will redefine publishing as a living, intelligent, and regenerative ecosystem — one that combines technology and humanity in entirely new ways.

  • Evolve from products to ecosystems … shifting from selling books to building connected knowledge experiences – combining print, digital, audio, events, courses, and communities – forming partnerships with tech, education, entertainment, and creator platforms to extend reach and relevance.

  • Harness intelligent technologies … using AI for content creation, discovery, translation, and personalisation, but guided by strong human editorial oversight – adopting blockchain for transparent rights, royalties, and provenance management.

  • Reinvent the reader relationship … moving beyond distribution to direct, data-driven engagement — using communities, subscriptions, and micro-learning formats – thinking of every reader as a lifetime learner, not a one-time buyer.

  • Embrace sustainability as strategy … making print-on-demand the default, powered by regional production networks – embedding regenerative principles in materials, logistics, and brand proposition – promoting books and publishing as net positive.

  • Localise globally … building regional hubs that adapt content for local languages, values, and education systems – partnering with Asian, African, and Latin American ecosystems to access fast-growing audiences.

  • Champion human creativity and purpose … more authentic voices, storytelling, and ideas that matter — a premium in the age of AI content saturation – redefining publishing as an engine of human progress, not just entertainment or information.

Megatrend 1: Exponential Intelligence … business at the Speed of Thought

Artificial intelligence, blockchain, genomics, and clean energy are converging into a wave of exponential intelligencethat is transforming every industry — including publishing. By 2035, AI alone could add more than $200 trillion in new market value globally.

For publishers, this means a fundamental reimagining of creativity, production, and distribution. Generative AI tools can already write, translate, and design content in seconds. Machine learning algorithms identify what readers want before they know it themselves. Blockchain is enabling smart contracts that ensure transparent royalties, protect intellectual property, and track provenance across global supply chains.

The role of the publisher will shift from managing products to orchestrating intelligent content ecosystems — curating, verifying, and amplifying ideas in ways that humans and algorithms together could not achieve alone.

Who’s Leading the Change?

Companies like Storytel, Wattpad, and Radish have already redefined storytelling with algorithmic recommendations and serialized, data-driven content. Springer Nature and Elsevier are using AI to summarise complex research for faster scientific discovery. Amazon and Apple Books continue to push the boundaries of predictive personalisation.

By 2035, every publisher will need to integrate intelligent systems — not just to compete, but to remain visible in a world where content is infinite and attention is scarce.

Megatrend 2: Generational Remix … Older, Urban, More Different, More Personal

The world’s population is ageing and diversifying. By 2035, there will be more people over 65 than under 18 for the first time in history. Urban populations will account for 70% of humanity. New generations will live longer, learn differently, and demand more inclusive and personalised forms of content.

For publishers, this means embracing a world of multi-generational, multi-format storytelling. Older readers are seeking meaning, purpose, and lifelong learning. Younger audiences want interactivity, speed, and social connection. Successful publishers will create ecosystems that bridge both — blending the emotional depth of books with the dynamic, shareable nature of digital culture.

Who’s Leading the Change?

Penguin Random House’s Audio division is booming as audiobook listening crosses age and cultural lines. Platforms like Spotify and Audible have made audio a new frontier of publishing. Meanwhile, Blinkist, Headway, and Shortformcater to time-poor readers who want insights in minutes rather than hours.

At the same time, Wattpad Webtoon Studios has created a community where Gen Z writers and readers co-create stories, with thousands of fan-fictions evolving into published books, films, and series. The generational remix is not a threat — it’s a creative opportunity to reinvent storytelling for every stage of life.

Megatrend 3: Asian Century … Economic Power Shifting East

By 2035, Asia will generate nearly two-thirds of global growth, led by China, India, and Southeast Asia. These regions are not just new markets — they are becoming the cultural and technological engines of the global publishing industry.

Asian readers are digital-first and multilingual. Education spending is soaring, while mobile and online learning platforms are booming. The global centre of gravity for publishing will shift eastward, driven by innovation and scale.

Who’s Leading the Change?

In China, China Literature (owned by Tencent) has over 200 million active users generating billions of online reading hours each month. In India, Byju’s and UpGrad are blending education, content, and community into powerful learning ecosystems. Japan’s Kadokawa Corporation is turning manga, anime, and gaming into global storytelling franchises.

Western publishers are beginning to collaborate — Pearson, for example, is building partnerships with Asian education providers; Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press are localising content for regional languages and curricula.

By 2035, success in publishing will depend on global-local agility — the ability to adapt content to cultural nuance while tapping into global platforms and technologies.

Megatrend 4: Regenerative Systems … From Climate Crisis to Net Positive Impact

Sustainability is no longer optional — it’s existential. The publishing industry, long reliant on resource-intensive printing and global logistics, faces mounting pressure to become regenerative by design.

By 2035, circular business models and net-zero commitments will define the leaders. Print-on-demand will be standard. Digital-first workflows will eliminate waste. Transparent supply chains will ensure every book is traceable from source to shelf. The rise of eco-conscious readers will create a competitive advantage for publishers who can demonstrate true impact.

Who’s Leading the Change?

HP’s Indigo presses and Ingram’s Lightning Source are revolutionising local print-on-demand networks, drastically cutting waste and emissions. Hachette Livre and HarperCollins are experimenting with carbon-neutral printing and greener materials. Independent houses like Patagonia Books and Chelsea Green Publishing have made sustainability part of their identity — aligning editorial purpose with planetary ethics.

In the future, publishing will be as much about responsible stewardship as creative storytelling. The industry’s transformation will be measured not just in books sold, but in resources saved, ecosystems preserved, and values shared.

Megatrend 5: Multipolar World … The End of Globalisation as We Knew It

The next decade will be defined by fragmentation and reconfiguration. Globalisation is being replaced by a multipolar order — one of competing blocs, localised supply chains, and divergent cultural narratives.

For publishers, this means rethinking scale and resilience. Global operations built on efficiency will need to become modular, adaptive, and regional. Data, censorship, and trade restrictions will make agility critical. Meanwhile, cultural sovereignty will rise — readers will demand content that reflects their values and context.

Who’s Leading the Change?

Pan Macmillan, Bertelsmann, and Hachette Livre are increasingly decentralising decision-making to regional hubs. Kobo Rakuten, a Japanese-Canadian hybrid, demonstrates how regional strength can coexist with global presence. African publishers such as Cassava Republic Press and Narrative Landscape are amplifying local voices for global audiences, while Latin American networks like Planeta and Penguin Random House Grupo Editorial are expanding bilingual publishing.

By 2035, the global industry may look less like a few giants and more like a federation of regional creative ecosystems— interconnected but locally grounded.

Megatrend 6: Humanity Rising … More Purposeful, Human and Collective Progress

Perhaps the most profound megatrend is the rediscovery of humanity itself. As technology accelerates, people are searching for meaning, belonging, and well-being. The “human economy” — built on care, creativity, empathy, and purpose — is becoming the foundation of progress.

For publishers, this marks a cultural renaissance. Books and ideas remain one of the most powerful tools for reflection, empathy, and transformation. The rise of mindfulness, activism, and social consciousness creates new audiences hungry for ideas that inspire, heal, and connect.

Who’s Leading the Change?

Hay House and Sounds True have built thriving businesses around personal growth and conscious living. The School of Life Press publishes philosophy and psychology for the modern age. Unbound, a crowdfunded platform, has shown how communities can collectively support books that challenge convention and celebrate authenticity.

By 2035, the most successful publishers will be those that help people not just learn more, but live better — amplifying the voices, values, and visions that move humanity forward.

Strategic Imperatives for Publishers

To thrive in this new world, publishers must think bigger — beyond the book, beyond the author, beyond the industry. The next decade calls for strategic reinvention across six dimensions:

  • From Products to Ecosystems
    Publishers must evolve from producing books to building connected ecosystems of knowledge. Books become entry points to learning journeys, events, and digital communities. Partnerships with edtechs, streaming platforms, and cultural institutions will be key to staying relevant.

  • From Efficiency to Intelligence
    AI, automation, and data analytics will underpin competitive advantage — from predictive acquisition to real-time marketing. The winners will be those who use technology not to replace creativity, but to amplify human insight.

  • From Distribution to Relationships
    Direct-to-reader models, subscriptions, and communities will replace anonymous sales with ongoing engagement. Publishers will need to own their audiences, building emotional and informational connections that transcend single purchases.

  • From Growth to Regeneration
    Sustainability will move from compliance to strategy. Leaders will integrate environmental impact into every decision — creating business models that restore rather than exploit.

  • From Globalisation to Localisation
    The new publishing map will be polycentric — global reach built on local resonance. Translating across cultures, not just languages, will define the next generation of bestsellers.

  • From Content to Meaning
    In a world flooded with information, the greatest value will come from curation, credibility, and conscience. Publishers become trusted guides — helping readers navigate truth, complexity, and hope.

The Publishing World in 2035

By 2035, the global publishing industry will be larger, more digital, and more diverse than ever — but also fundamentally different in shape and form.

  • Size: Global revenues could grow from around $150 billion in 2025 to $230–250 billion by 2035, driven by growth in Asia, digital learning, and new content ecosystems.

  • Shape: Over 70% of reading will occur digitally — across e-books, audiobooks, and immersive formats. Education, business, and lifestyle learning will dominate over traditional fiction.

  • Form: The “book” will no longer be a static object, but a dynamic experience — interactive, adaptive, and participatory. AI and AR will enable personalised learning journeys; readers will co-create with authors and communities.

Independent creators, micro-publishers, and communities will flourish alongside major global players. The barriers to entry will fall — but so too will the barriers to discovery, making curation and authenticity more valuable than ever.

From Books to Living Systems of Knowledge

By 2035, publishing will not simply be about creating and selling books — it will be about amplifying ideas, empowering voices, and enriching lives.

The future belongs to publishers that think of themselves as stewards of meaning — combining technology with humanity to nurture learning, empathy, and imagination. The great publishing houses of the future will not just distribute stories; they will curate the collective intelligence of humanity.

The next decade offers the most profound opportunity for reinvention since the invention of the printing press. The convergence of intelligence, diversity, purpose, and sustainability will reshape what publishing means and why it matters.

Those who cling to the old model — of mass printing, narrow audiences, and one-way storytelling — will fade. Those who embrace the new — open, intelligent, regenerative, and human — will thrive.

Because in 2035, publishing will no longer be about the business of books.
It will be about the art of progress — helping people and ideas move the world forward.

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