The largest Dutch publisher, VBK, plans to trial AI for translating commercial fiction books into English. The limited experiment will involve human oversight, author permission, and an editing phase. Literary titles are excluded. VBK was recently acquired by Simon & Schuster.

**For publishers and translation services:** You're facing a potential disruption. AI-powered translation could significantly reduce costs and accelerate the process of bringing books to international markets. However, quality control and author relationships will be critical. Start exploring AI translation capabilities now to stay competitive. **For authors:** Your contracts may soon include clauses about AI translation rights. Consider how you want to approach this – it could mean wider distribution but also potential quality concerns. Engage with your publishers to understand their AI translation plans. **For booksellers:** Prepare for a potential increase in translated titles hitting the market. This could expand your inventory and appeal to a more diverse customer base. However, be ready to address customer questions about AI-translated books and their quality.

If successful, VBK's trial could spark a translation revolution in publishing. Expect more publishers to follow suit, leading to a surge in cross-language book availability. This could reshape global reading habits and create new markets for authors. However, the industry will grapple with ethical and quality concerns. You'll likely see the emergence of 'AI translation editors' as a new role. Transparency about AI use in translations may become a standard practice, potentially influencing consumer choices. Long-term, this technology could democratize access to literature across language barriers. But it may also pressure human translators to upskill or specialize in high-value niches like literary works. Keep an eye on how readers respond to AI-translated books – their acceptance will ultimately determine the technology's staying power in the industry.